UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
LIBRARY 


Class  Book  Volume 

mm  libr 


P 11-20M 


Return  this  book  on  or  before  the 
Intest  Date  stamped  below. 

The.., 

University  ol  Illinois  L y_ 


L161-O.1096 


REPORT 


OF 

COLONEL  T.  P.  ROBB, 


ILLINOIS 


||0jnmi6Si0ncr, 


ON  THE 

SANITARY  CONDITION  OF  ILLINOIS  TROOPS, 


FIELD  AND  GENERAL  HOSPITALS, 

IN  THE 

ARMIES  AND  EEPARTMENTS 

OF  THE 


OHIO,  TENNESSEE,  CUMBERLAND, 

AND  DIVISION  OF  WEST  MISSISSIPPI. 


SPRINGFIELD : 

STEAM  PRESS  OF  BAKER  & PHILLIPS. 


1 8 6 5. 


3 '>'2,7^ 


Vi9ji  II 


DIVISION  OF  WEST  MISSISSIPPI. 


HEAD-QUARTERS  ILLINOIS  MILITARY  AND  SANITARY  AGENCY,) 
Memphis,  Tennessee,  December  20th,  1864.  J 

His  Excellency,  Richard  Yates,  Governor^  Springfield^  Illinois. 

Sir  : — On  the  first  of  November  ult.,  I was  instructed  by  your  Ex- 
cellency to  make  personal  inspection  of  the  United  States  general 
hospitals,  and- camps  of  Illinois  regiments  located' in  the  several  de- 
partments constituting  the  military  division  of  West  Mississippi, 
and  make  report  thereon  to  you,  without  unnecessary  delay.  I 
was  expected  to  inquire  into  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  several 
hospitals  and  camps,  learn  their  wants,  and  make  the  same  known 
to  you,  as  well  as  any  other  facts  coming  under  my  observation, 
^ likely  to  be  of  interest  to  those  having  at  heart  the  well  being  and 
^ efficiency  of  the  Illinpis  soldier. 
j I have  performed  the  duty  assigned  me,  as  thoroughly  as  the 
limited  time  at  my  disposal  would  admit,  and  respectfully  beg 
leave  to  present  this,  my  report : 

y In  my  tour  of  inspection,  I have  visited  Paducah,  Memphis, 
Helena,  Little  Rock,  Yicksburg,  Natchez,  Baton  Rouge  and  New 
Orleans.  My  trip,  though  laborious,  has  been  a pleasant  one,  and 
" the  military  officers  with  whom  I have  come  in  contact  have  afford- 
3 ed  me  every  facility  in  their  power  to  the  successful  accomplish- 
^ ment  of  my  mission. 

HOSPITALS. 

The  hospitals  in  these  departments  are  so  numerous  fliat  I am  con- 
strained to  make  mention  of  them  in  general  terms  for  the  most 
part.  A detailed  and  full  description  of  them  all,  though  perhaps 
, it  might  be  made  sufficiently  interesting,  would  nevertheless  make 
this  report  of  inordinate  length. 


139377 


4: 


PADUCAH  AND  COLUMBUS,  KENTUCKY. 

At  Paducah  are  located  two  (2)  United  States  general  hospitals, 
VIZ : the  post  liospital,  and  8th  United  States  heavy  artillery,  col- 
ored, hospital.  The  present  number  of  sick  in  these  hospitals  is 
three  hundred  and  sixty  three  (363),  with  accommodations  for 
about  one  thousand  (1000).  ^ Since  my  visit  the  number  of  sick 
has  doubtless  been  largely  increased,  from  the  fact  of  the  rendez- 
vousing there  of  a large  body  of  troops,  now  departed  for  the  front. 
There  is  also  at  this  post  a freedman’s  hospital,  under  government 
charge.  At  Columbus,  there  is  one  post  hospital.  The  number 
of  sick  at  present  is  ninety-nine  (99),  which  includes  the  sick  of  the 
4:th  United  States  heavy  artillery,  colored. 

The  sanitary  condition  of  the  post  hospitals,  both  at  Paducah 
and  Columbus,  is  very  good.  The  like  condition  of  the  colored 
hospitals  is  very  bad.  I am  assured,  however,  by  the  excellent 
Medical  Director  of  the  district,  that  it  is  owing  to  causes  hitherto 
out  of  his  control,  and  that  the  matter  would  soon  be  remedied. 

Columbus  is  a point  of  small  importance.  It  is  a government 
post,  however,  and  requires  the  constant  presence  of  a garrison, 
which  ordinarily  is  composed  of  colored  troops. 

Paducah  is  a point  of  more  importance.  It  is  garrisoned,  as  in- 
deed I may  here  say,  are  all  the  places  subsequently  mentioned  in 
this  report,  and  mainly  by  colored  soldiers,  at  least  so  far  as  the 
permanent  garrisons  of  the  forts  and  defences  are  concerned.  Pa. 
ducah  is  a point  where  oftentimes  are  concentrated  quite  large 
bodies  of  soldiers,  either  going  to  or  returning  from  the  front,  or  for 
the  purpose  of  repelling  hostile  demonstrations,  which  often  occur 
in  that  district. 

MEMPHIS,  TENNESSEE. 

At  Memphis  are  located  nine  (9)  general  hospitals,  viz : the  Over- 
ton,  Adams,  Washington,  Gay oso.  Officers,  Naval,  Webster,  Small 
Pox,  and  Colored.  A number  of  other  large  hospitals  here  have 
been  broken  up  within  the  past  year.  The  above-named  hospitals 
have  beds  for  two  thousand  nine  hundred  and  fifty  (2950)  patients, 
and  room  for  double  that  number,  should  occasion  require.  The 
whole  number  of  sick  now  under  treatment  is  one  thousand  six 
hundred  and  sixty-four  (1664).  The  number  of  employees,  for  the 
most  part  convalescent  soldiers,  is  three  hundred  and  twenty-five 


5 


(325).  The  above  number  of  sick  does  not  include  those  in  regi- 
mental hospitals,  the  exact  number  of  which  I am  not  able  to  give. 
The  number  now  in  hospital  is  very  much  smaller  than  the  aver- 
age. There  have  been  times,  even  during  the  past  season,  when 
the  present  number  was  more  than  doubled. 

Memphis  is  favorably  located  for  hospital  purposes.  Suitable 
buildings  are  plenty.  The  site  of  the  city  is  elevated  and  healthy. 
Its  hospital  accommodations  are  so  favorable,  that  many  sick  and 
wounded  are  brought  here  from  distant  points  ; as  instance,  many 
of  the  wounded  of  the  Red  river  campaign  were  sent  here.  Some 
of  the  largest  and  linest  blocks,  such  as  would  be  an  ornament  to 
even  more  pretentious  cities,  have  been  taken  for  hospitals  by  the 
United  States  authorities,-  and  have  been  found  peculiarly  adapted, 
with  little  change,  to  the  purposes  to  which  they  are  devoted.  The 
Adams,  Washington,  Gayoso,  Officers  and  Webster,  were  such 
blocks,  as  well  as  a number  of  others  for  the  present  discontinued. 
The  Overton  was  constructed  for  a large  first  class  hotel,  though  at 
date  of  federal  occupation,  was  not  yet  occupied  as  such.  It  of 
course  makes  an  excellent  and  elegant  hospital.  The  Naval  Hos- 
pital, situated  on  Front  street,  commanding  a fine  view  of  the  river 
and  shipping,  was  formerly  the  Commercial  Hotel.  It  is  a large 
and  fine  structure,  and  well  suited  in  location  and  interior  appoint- 
ments, to  its  present  use.  The  Small  Pox  Hospital  is  worthy  of 
special  mention.  In  it,  the  ordinary  ideas  connected  with  a pest 
house  are  not  realized.  It  is  a commodious  brick  building,  in  the 
suburbs  of  the  city,  in  the  midst  of  spacious  grounds,  and  surround- 
ed with  shrubbery,  and  was  erected  and  used  for  a city  hospital, 
previous  to  the  war.  There  have  been  occasions  when  the  number 
of  patients  reached  as  high  a number  as  seven  hundred  and  fifty 
(750).  The  ratio  of  mortality  among  its  inmates  has  always  been 
exceedingly  small,  which  is  attributable  partly  to  the  accommoda- 
tions, so  much  superior  to  those  generally  granted  to  those  afflicted 
with  this  terrible  disorder,  as  well  as  to  the  treatment  they  receive 
at  the  hands  of  the  skillful  surgeon  in  charge.  Dr.  Huntingdon^ 
United  States  Volunteers,  and  his  assistants.  The  sanitary  condi- 
tion of  the  hospitals,  as  also  of  the  troops  more  or  less  permanently 
stationed  here,  is  good.  Regiments  w^eekly  arrive  here  from  other 
points,  or  from  active  service,  to  whom  the  relief  aftbrded  by  the 
Sanitary  Commission  is  of  incalculable  good.  In  addition  to  the 


6 


Sanitary  Agency,  with  which  I am  connected^  there  is  a branch 
and  depot  of  the  United  States  Commission  located  here. 

Memphis,  in  a military  point  of  view,  is  centrally  located.  It  is 
of  easy  and  safe  access  by  way  of  the  river.  It  is  the  distributing 
point  for  all  of  the  departments  in  this  direction,  except  the  De- 
partment of  the  Gulf.  It  is  the  western  terminus  of  the  Memphis 
and  Charleston  Kailroad.  As  a military  point,  its  chief  import- 
ance is  that  of  a distributing  point  for  stores  and  supplies,  as  before 
stated,  and  that  it  is  favorably  located  for  the  rendezvous  and  trans- 
fer of  troops.  For  the  year  past,  this  has  been  the  case  to  a re- 
markable extent,  and  should  the  war  continue,  will  doubtless  still 
remain  the  case  in  even  greater  degree.  Besides  large  concentra- 
tions, smaller  expeditions  are  being  continually  fitted  here,  as  well 
as  at  other  points  on  the  river,  for  raids  into  the  interior.  Even 
when  accompanied  with  the  best  success,  the  soldiers,  from  the 
very  nature  of  the  service,  return  from  the  expeditions  jaded  and 
worn  out,  oftentimes  from  the  haste  with  which  they  have  been 
moved,  with  the  loss  of  some,  if  not  all  their  personal  baggage  and 
clothing.  With  the  best  of  luck  attending,  it  is  a sorry  looking  set 
of  men  that  comes  in  from  “riding  a raid.”  Again,  they  are  not 
always  successful.  They  then  come  straggling  back  in  most  pitia- 
ble plight,  often,  as  witness  the  case  of  the  Sturgis  disaster,  having 
wandered  for  days,  and  scores  of  miles,  without  sleep  or  food,  hiding 
in  swamps  and  forests,  stripped  of  almost  everything,  hatless  and 
shoeless,  and  almost  naked.  This  is  a sad  picture,  and  yet  one  I 
have  seen  with  my  own  eyes,  and  what  may  again  occur.  At  such 
a time  the  good  done  by  the  Sanitary  Commission  cannot  be  other- 
wise than  great.  In  the  case  mentioned,  though  unprepared  to  do 
all  I could  wish  for  the  boys,  especially  in  the  way  of  clothing, 
enough  good  was  done  to  pay  our  good  friends  at  the  north  for 
much  of  their  labor  and  self-denial.  The  supplies  of  sanitary  stores 
at  Memphis  have  been  at  times  full  and  equal  to  the  demand ; at 
other  times  the  supply  has  been  quite  limited.  Twice  during  the 
year  have  my  rooms  been  liberally  filled,  and  that  has  been  when, 
with  the  concurrence  of  the  military  commanders  here,  I have 
caused  special  agents  to  be  sent  north,  to  represent  in  person  our 
wants  to  the  friends  of  the  soldier.  On  being  made  acquainted 
with  our  wants,  I am  happy  to  say  that  our  friends  have  invariably 
responded  in  generous  contributions.  On  the  whole,  perhaps  no 
place  on  the  river  requires  so  large  a supply  of  sanitary  supplies  as 
Memphis. 


r 


LITTLE  R0C3K  AND  HELENA,  ARKANSAS. 

There  are  in  the  Department  of  Arkansas,  at  Helena  and  Little 
Kock,  five  (5)  General  Hospitals,  with  beds  for  two  thousand  (2000) 
patients.  Besides  these  general  ones,  most  of  the  regiments  are 
supplied  with  regimental  hospitals.  At  the  present  time  the  sani- 
tary condition  of  both  the  troops  and  hospitals  are  good.  The 
United  States  and  Western  Commissions  have  agencies  in  this  de- 
partment. It  is  an  important  field,  and  I have  no  doubt  but  that 
these  commissions  have  occupied  the  ground  as  fully  as  they  were 
able  to  do.  I personally  know  that  the  Western  Commission  has 
made  large  shipments  of  supplies  for  distribution  at  Helena  and 
Little  Rock.  There  are  many  Illinois  regiments  in  the  department, 
but  no  Illinois  agent  there.  I have  been  several  times  written  to 
at  Memphis  by  Illinois  regiments  in  Arkansas,  to  forward  them 
supplies,  if  possible.  I have  responded  to  their  calls  as  well  as  the 
limited  means  at  my  disposal  have  enabled  me,  but  as  I have  rarely 
had  a snfiiciency,  and  much  less  a surplus,  I have  not  been  enabled 
to  forward  as  liberally  as  I could  have  wished. 

I am  informed  by  the  Medical  Director  of  the  department,  that 
their  most  pressing  want  at  the  present  time  is  vegetables ; that 
they  are  very  much  needed,  and  to  as  large  an  amount  as  can  rea- 
sonably be  furnished. 

VICKSBURG,  MISSISSIPPI. 

At  this  point  there  are  located  three  (3)  General  Hospitals  for 
white  troops,  and  one  (1)  for  colored  troops.  The  number  at 
present  in  these  is  four  hundred  and  sixty-two,  (462)  with  good 
hospital  accommodations  for  two  thousand  (2000).  There  are  also 
regimental  hospitals  in  most  of  the  regiments.  The  general  health 
of  the  troops  is  good.  Two  (2)  of  the  hospitals  at  Yicksburg  de- 
serve more  than  a passing  notice.  Hospital  ISTo.  2 is  located  in  the 
heart  of  the  city,  and  in  the  elegant  private  grounds  of  some  former 
wealthy  and  aristocratic  resident  of  the  city,  now  doubtless  engaged 
in  pursuing  the  delusive  ignis  faiuus  of  Southern  independence. 
The  grounds  comprise  a whole  block,  some  four  or  five  hundred 
feet  square,  laid  out  with  great  taste,  and  adorned  with  large  shade 
trees  and  choicest  shrubbery.  In  the  rear  is  the  dwelling  house, 
now  used  for  offices,  cook  room,  etc.  A graveled  carriage-way 


8 


runs  from  tlie  front  entrance  of  the  grounds  to  the  house.  On 
either  side  is  now  a row  of  tents,  which  during  the  past  summer 
have  been  sufficient  for  the  use  of  the  sick  and  wounded.  Surgeon 
Stratton,  of  the  11th  Illinois  Cavalry,  in  charge,  and  also  the  effi- 
cient Medical  Director  of  the  district,  informed  me  that  he  desierns 
to  replace  the  tents  by  permanent  buildings.  If  this  be  done,  it 
will  certainly  make  a hospital  as  attractive  in  appearance  as  any 
that  it  has  ever  been  my  good  fortune  to  see,  and  the  property 
turned  to  better  uses  than  when  it  was  the  luxurious  home  of  its 
disloyal  owners.  McPherson  Hospital  occupies  the  building  erected 
by  the  city  for  a city  hospital,  and  used  as  such  previous  to  the  re- 
bellion. It  occupies  a commanding  site,  and  overlooks  much  of 
the  ground  made  historical  by  the  memorable  siege  of  Yicks- 
burg.”  It  is  a commodious  structure,  but  has  been  much  improved 
since  its  occupation  by  us,  especially  in  its  interior  arrangements. 

It  is,  and  has  been  since  its  establishment,  under  the  charge  of  Sur- 
geon Powell,  of  the  72d  Illinois  Infantry  volunteers.  Surgeon 
Powell  has  evidently,  with  a just  and  commendable  pride  in  his 
profession  and  office,  devoted  all  the  powers  of  his  cultivated  mind 
to  the  making  it  “ the  Model  Hospital,”  and  to  my  mind  he  has 
fully  succeeded.  It  surpasses  anything  of  the  kind  that  I have 
witnessed  in  all  my  experience.  It  seems  to  be  perfect  in  all  its 
parts  and  arrangements.  The  kitchen,  bakery,  store  room  and 
dining  hall  seem  faultless,  and  would  positively  be  viewed  with  en- 
vious eyes  by  our  best  and  most  fastidious  housekeepers  of  the 
north,  proverbial  as  that  region  is  for  its  women  of  housekeeping 
^ propensities.  The  wards  are  neatly  arranged  with  an  eye  single  to 
the  comfort  of  the  inmates,  and  all  the  rooms  are  kept  in  a state  of 
continual  cleanliness,  that  would  elicit  the  admiration  of  the  most--' 
zealous  devotee  of  the  broom  and  scrubbing-brush.  There  is  a 
place  for  everything  and  everything  in  its  place.  The  most  perfect 
order  prevails.  For  the  convalescents,  (and  in  such  a well  ordered 
house  they  are  numerous,)  there  is  a reading-room,  with  its  large 
and  well  selected  library,  bath-rooms,  wash-room  and  barber-shop. 
There  is  a billiard-room,  with  a good,  though  confiscated  rebel,  bil- 
liard table.  Though  not  a judge  of  such  articles,  I presume  it  was 
one  of  Phelan’s  best.”  In  the  yard  are  swings  and  other  gym- 
nastic apparatus,  and  a fine  bowling-alley  just  being  completed. 
These  improvements  have  been  made,  for  the  most  part,  without 
cost  to  the  government,  by  the  aid  of  convalescent  inmates,  and 


9 


show  what  can  be  accomplished  by  an  energetic  and  intelligent 
surgeon,  whose  heart  is  in  his  work,  hlo  one,  after  spending  an 
hour  in  the  hospital,  will  doubt  that  all  these  things  contribute 
much  to  the  recovery  of  the  patients.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  mc>re 
of  our  surgeons,  in  charge  of  iiospitals,  will  in  like  manner  attempt 
the  improvement  of  the  surroundings  and  interior  arrangements. 
In  my  opinion  the  trouble  would  be  amply  repaid  in  the  increased 
comfort,  contentedness  and  speedy  convalescence  of  the  inmates. 

Besides  the  troops  that  are  constantly  passing  through  Vicks- 
burg, and  being  transferred  to  other  points,  or  being  concentrated 
there  for  expeditions  into  the  interior,  quite  a large  force  is  per- 
manently stationed  at  the  post.  The  United  States  and  Western 
Commissions  have  depots  of  supplies  established  here.  They  have 
supplied  the  hospitals  and  regiments  freely  and  liberally  with  most 
of  the  kinds  of  articles  needed.  Medical  Director  Stratton  informs 
me  that  there  is  much  need  of  vegetables,  and  that  in  his  opinion 
a liberal  supply  would  do  more  good  than  any  other  article  of  diet. 
He  also  states  tiiat  there  is  mucii  need  of  woolen  shirts  and  draw- 
ers for  use  in  general  hospitals. 

NATCHEZ,  XllSSISSlPri. 

At  this  point  there  is  one  (1)  general  hospital.  Humber  of  sick 
at  present,  seventy-two,  (72.)  There  are  also  over  three  hundred 
(300)  sick  in  regimental  hospitals.  A depot  of  supplies  is  estab- 
lished here  by  the  United  States  Sanitary  Commission.  As  a 
military  point,  Hatchez  is  not  at  present  of  as  much  importance  as 
either  Vicksburg  or  Memphis.  Nevertheless,  during  the  year 
large  numbers  of  troops  pass  through  or  are  quartered  in  the  city. 
As  the  theater  of  actual  conflict  nears  the  Gulf,  its  military  impor- 
tance may  be  increased.  The  Post  Surgeon  assured  me  that  sup- 
plies of  fruit  and  vegetables  would  be  thankfully  received,  and 
faithfully  devoted  to  relieving  the  wants  of  the  soldiers. 

BATON  ROUGE,  LOUISIANA. 

The  one  (1)  hospital  at  Baton  Rouge  is  a very  flne  one.  It  was 
formerly  the  Louisiana  State  Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylunn  It  is  a 
large,  w^ell-appointed  structure,  upon  an  elevation  in  the  suburbs 
of  the  city,  overlooking  the  river,  and  surrounded  with  elegant 
grounds,  fllled  with  choice  shrubbery,  of  the  kinds  peculiar  to  the 


10 


atitiide.  Art  and  nature  seem  to  have  vied  in  its  adornment, 
though  it  is  none  too  good  for  our  brave  and  deserving  sick  and 
wounded. 

It  has  five  hundred  (500)  beds.  The  number  of  sick  is  three 
hundred  and  seventy-three,  (373.)  Surgeon  lioberts,  of  Illinois, 
late  of  the  Marine  Brigade,  has  been  quite  recently  placed  in 
charge.  An  intimate  acquaintance  enables  me  to  state  that  from 
him  the  inmates  will  receive  kind  and  skillful  treatment.  He 
informs  me  that  they  are  in  want  of  vegetables,  and  that  woolen 
shirts  and  drawers  for  the  sick  would  be  particularly  acceptable 
this  winter. 

NEW  ORLEANS,  LOUISIANA. 

Hew  Orleans  has  seven  (7)  general  hospitals : the  St.  Louis, 
Marine,  University,  United  States  Barracks,  Corps  de  Afrique, 
and  Contraband,  and  a new  one  just  being  fitted  up.  These  hospi- 
tals have  beds  for  five  thousand  five  hundred  and  eighteen  (5,618) 
patients. 

The  number  of  white  troops  now  in  general  hospitd  is  nine 
hundred  and  sixty,  (960.)  Besides  these  are  the  sick  of  the  Corps 
de  Afrique,  and  in  contraband  and  regimental  hospitals,  the  num- 
ber of  which  I am  unable  to  state.  In  general  appointments,  the 
hospitals  at  Hew  Orleans  will  compare  favorably  with  any  others 
that  have  come  within  my  observation.  Space  will  not  permit  me 
to  dwell  upon  them  in  detail,  but  I will  mention  one,  as  instancing 
the  class  and  character  of  buildings  that  have  been  taken  in  Hew 
Orleans,  and  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Medical  Department  for 
hospital  purposes.  The  St.  Louis  Hospital  was  formerly  the  St. 
Louis  Hotel,  which,  in  size  and  magnificence,  rivaled  the  world- 
renowned  St.  Charles,  or  the  most  palatial  hotels  in  any  of  our 
northern  cities.  It  is  but  a just  retribution  that  these  most  luxu- 
rious retreats  of  the  aristocracy  of  the  south,  who  were  the  first  to 
plunge  into  the  mad  vortex  of  secession,  should  be  taken  and  made 
into  homes  for  our  soldiers  sulfering  from  disease  and  wounds. 
The  sanitary  condition  of  these  hospitals  is  unsurpassed.  Sanitary 
stores  are  furnished  by  the  United  States  Sanitary  Commission.  I 
was  informed  that  the  supply  during  the  summer  had  not  been  as 
large  as  might  have  been  used  to  advantage.  At  the  time  of  my 
visit,  however,  the  Commission  w;  s in  receipt  of  a cargo  of  sup- 
plies, a large  portion  of  which  were  vegetables,  wide  i were  par- 


11 


ticiilarly  acceptable.  In  these  extreme  southern  departments,  the 
want  of  vegetables  as  an  article  of  diet  bj  the  soldiers  is  severely 
felt.  Their  abundance  at  the  north,  and  the  ease  and  cheapness 
with  which  they  can  be  transported  down  the  Mississippi,  in  what- 
soever quantities,  without  danger  of  their  being  spoiled  in  transit, 
should  form  additional  reasons  why  the  wants  of  the  soldiers  in 
that  regard  should  not  be  neglected.  The  Medical  Director  informs 
me  that  by  order  of  the  commander  of  the  department,  a fund  is 
raised  by  taxation  of  cotton,  sugar,  etc.,  for  Iiospital  purposes. 
This  is  not  made  available,  however,  to  any  but  the  general  hospi- 
tals. 'New  Orleans,  since  the  Federal  occupation,  has  been  extremely 
healthy.  I was  told  by  good  authority  that  the  ratio  of  mortality 
among  citizens  is  much  less  than  in  former  years,  and  less  than  in 
most  northern  cities.  One  great  reason  for  this  is  that  the  city  is 
kept  thoroughly  clean.  In  this  respect  the  municipal  authorities 
of  many  other  cities  might  take  needed  les,sons. 

The  number  of  troops  in  the  department  is  large,  though  not  so 
great  as  formerly.  The  exact  number  I am  not  permitted  to  state. 
It  is  a matter  of  conjecture,  whether  the  number  is  soon  likely  to 
be  increased  or  diminished.  My  own  opinion  is,  that  as  the  rebels 
are  driven  further  south  the  number  will  be  increased.  It  is  to  be 
supposed  that,  attendant  upon  victories  elsewhere  achieved,  the 
time  is  not  distant  when  armies  will  be  sent  to  occupy  Texas,  and 
southern  Mississippi  and  Alabama.  When  this  is  done.  New 
Orleans  will  be  the  place  of  rendezvous  of  large  bodies  of  troops. 
A large  city,  it  is  easy  there  to  provide  barracks,  temporary  or 
otherwise.  It  is  in  direct  and  easy  communication  with  the  east 
and  the  west.  It  is  a large  depot  for  stores  and  munitions  of  war. 
We  have  every  reason  to  expect,  then,  that  the  demand  for  sani- 
tary supplies  for  this  region  will  be  largely  increased.  Another 
fact  in  this  connection,  of  interest  to  us  of  Illinois,  is  that  hitherto 
the  regiments  chiefly  sent  here  have  been  eastern  ones.  This  was 
occasioned  by  the  fact  that  when  New  Orleans  was  first  occupied, 
the  Mississippi  river  was  blockaded,  and  water  communication 
with  the  east  open  by  way  of  the  ocean.  With  the  free  navigation 
of  the  river,  and  as  changes  are  made,  it  is  but  natural  that  in  the 
future,  western  troops  should  be  sent  here  in  greater  numbers 
than  heretofore.  This  should  be  taken  into  consideration  in  our 
future  sanitary  operations.  I would  respectfully  recommend  the 
establishment  of  a depot  of  sanitary  supplies  at  New  Orleans,  as 


I 


12 


soon  as  practicable.  Its  importance  for  that  purpose  can  but  be 
seen  at  a glance. 

OTHER  MILITARY  POSTS. 

Besides  the  general  hospitals  at  the  points  I have  mentioned, 
there  are  numerous  smaller  posts  where  hospitals  are  established, 
more  or  less  temporary  in  their  character.  These  places  I have 
been  unable  to  visit.  The  most  of  them  are  outposts,  and  send  in 
their  sick  and  wounded,  when  possible,  to  the  larger  hospitals  at 
the  main  points  in  the  several  departments.  At  Fort  Smith,  Ar- 
kansas, have  been  stationed  some  Illinois  regiments.  It  is  difficult 
of  access,  especially  in  the  summer  months,  o^ving  to  low  water 
in  the  Arkansas  river.  To  some  of  these  reo-iments  I have  sent 

O 

small  shipments  of  supplies,  when  solicited  so  to  do.  I may  men- 
tion, here,  that  I am  in  frequent  receipt  of  communications  from 
distant  Illinois  regiments,  whom  I had  formerly  been  in  the  habit 
of  supplying  when  in  this  department.  They  would  be  glad  to 
have  me  send  them  supplies,  if  possible.  They  feel  more  at  home 
in  applying  to  an  Illinois  agent.  Owing  to  their  distance,  and  the 
uncertain  nature  of  the  communications,  it  is  seldom  possible  or 
advisable  to  attempt  to  send  supplies  in  such  cases. 

REGIMENTAL  HOSPITALS. 

Begimental  hospitals  are  not  in  as  extensive  use,  in  the  army,  as 
formerly.  General  hospitals  are  so  numerous  and  well  appointed 
that  the  need  of  the  former  is  very  much  diminished.  In  no  de- 
partment of  the  army,  I am  happy  to  say,  has  experience  wrought 
so  great  changes  for  the  better  as  in  the  hospital  department.  Still, 
necessity  compels  most  of  the  regiments  to  improvise  hospitals  of 
their  own,  for  the  treatment  of  certain  classes  of  cases.  They  are 
often  situated,  also,  so  that  a general  hospital  is  not  within  reach. 
This  is  the  case  when  stationed  at  distant  or  temporary  posts,  or 
when  on  the  march.  Also,  when  in  winter  quarters,  or  stationed 
at  a post  for  any  length  of  time,  they  erect  hospitals  for  their  own 
sick.  So  that,  upon  the  whole,  regimental  hospitals,  if  not  as  ex- 
tensive, are  nearly  as  numerous  as  formerly.  The  worst  cases  are 
sent  off,  and  the  others  retained,  for  treatment  by  the  regimental 
surgeon.  This  is  well  enough,  and  gives  satisfaction  to  the  boys. 
Ordinarily,  they  dislike  being  sent  away  from  their  regiments,  and 


13 


prefer  being  treated  by  their  own  surgeon,  than  to  pass  under  the 
care  of  strangers.  These  improvised  hospitals  are  often  models  of 
taste  and  neatness.  The  improvements  made  by  the  regiments  in 
cooking,  diet,  etc.,  make  them  more  endurable  than  formerly.  In 
them,  and  also  when  on  the  march,  it  is  often  amusing  to  notice  the 
ingenious  expedients  resorted  to  by  the  surgeon  to  enhance  the 
comfort  o1  the  men.  Surgeons  are  not  all  alike,  in  this  respect,  but 
I am  happy  to  record  a great  improvement  in  the  provision  made 
for  the  comfort  of  the  sick  and  wounded  under  their  charge.  There 
are  surgeons  whom  the  experience  of  a life-time  will  learn  no  new 
lessons;  but  I am  certain  they  are  rare  in  Illinois  regiments.  I 
am  not  prepared  to  give  the  average  number  of  sick  in  the  regi- 
ments out  of  general  liospital,  but  am  confident  that  the  number 
equals  those  in  general  hospital,  and  perhaps  exceeds  it,  if  w'e  take 
into  tlie  account  those  slightly  ailing  and  not  fit  for  duty,  though  not 
strictly  fit  subjects  for  hospital  treatment.  Regiments  can  seldom 
supply  themselves  wdth  a hospital  fund,  and  therefore  it  is  with 
them,  and  to  their  sick,  that  the  Sanitary  Commission  is  enabled  to 
accomplish  the  most  good. 

ILLINOIS  TROOPS. 

I cannot  give  the  number  of  troops  in  the  Military  Division  of 
West  Mississippi.  Such  statement  is  prohibited.  I may  say,  how- 
ever, that  Illinois  furnishes  a larger  proportion  of  the  troops,  in  all 
of  its  departments,  unless  it  be  the  Department  of  the  Gulf,  than 
any  other  State.  The  morale  of  the  troops  is  fair.  Upon  the 
whole,  I do  not  think  it  equals  that  of  the  armies  in  the  Military 
Division  of  the  Mississippi.  This  is  doubtless  owing  to  the  differ- 
ent nature  of  the  service  performed.  The  latter,  consolidated  in 
one  great  army,  under  Gen.  Sherman,  have  been  engaged  in  the 
campaign  which,  in  August  last,  resulted  in  the  capture  of  Atlanta. 
The  service  here  has  been  of  a more  desultory  character — from  the 
numerous  raids,  to  the  more  pretentious  expeditions,  such  as  the  Stur- 
gis and  Red  river  expeditions,  and  the  one  from  Little  Rock — all  of 
which  resulted  more  or  less  disastrously.  Ill  success  is  not  well  cal- 
culated to  improve  the  de  corps  of  an  army.  Mere  raids,  also, 

however  successful  they  may  be,  have  a demoralizing  tendency. 
In  all  of  the  military  operations,  however,  made  in  these  depart- 
ments the  past  season,  whatever  has  been  the  result,  I have  yet  to 
be  informed  of  the  instance  in  which  Illinois  soldiers  have  failed 


14 


to  do  their  whole  duty.  In  no  case,  that  I am  aware  of,  have  they 
dishonored  their  flag.  It  is  a matter  of  notoriety,  that  in  the  fa- 
mous Ked  river  expedition,  the  division  of  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith, 
composed  largely  of  Illinois  regiments,  saved  the  army  from  even 
greater  disaster.  Like  instances  might  be  multiplied,  gratifying  to 
State  pride,  and  creditable  to  the  conduct  of  our  boys ; but  I for- 
bear. 

The  general  health  of  our  regiments  is  good.  At  the  present 
time  quite  a body  of  troops  is  being  concentrated  at  Memphis.  I 
notice  many  Illinois  regiments  among  them.  They  seem  to  be  in 
good  spirits  and  condition.  Some  of  the  boys  are  poorly  supplied 
with  the  necessary  clothing  to  protect  them  from  the  extreme  cold 
weather  with  which  of  late  we  have  been  favored.  A supply  of 
blankets,  woolen  shirts  and  drawers,  socks  and  mittens,  could  now 
be  made  to  relieve  much  actual  suffering.  But  these  articles  I sel- 
dom receive.  It  would  be  well  were  our  State  Commission  provi- 
ded with  funds  to  procure  articles  of  this  character,  and  which,  for 
the  most  part,  can  only  be  procured  with  money,  and  thus  be  able 
to  keep  their  agents  supplied  with  such  like  articles,  to  be  given  the 
necessitous. 

MISSISSIPPI  SQUADRON. 

It  is  proper  that  I should  make  mention  of  the  fleet  of  gunboats 
on  the  Mississippi  and  its  tributaries.  Penetrated  and  intersected 
as  these  departments  are  b}^  navigable  rivers,  by  the  presence  of 
these  boats  a much  smaller  body  of  men  suffices  to  secure  the 
occupancy  of  the  country  than  would  otherwise  be  the  case.  They 
have  proved  themselves  a most  effective  arm  of  the  service. 

The  number  of  gunboats  composing  the  squadron  is  eighty-four  r 
(84),  of  which  nineteen  (19)  are  iron  clad.  The  number  of  men 
required  to  man  them  is  eight  thousand  five  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  (8525) — a small  army  in  itself.  Many  of  these  men  were  en- 
listed in  Illinois.  The  cruising  ground  of  the  fleet  is  from  Donald- 
son, Louisiana,  to  St.  Louis,  on  the  Mississippi,  and  such  parts  of 
the  Ohio,  Cumberland  and  Tennessee,  as  occasion  may  demand. 
There  is  one  (1)  marine  hospital  in  the  department,  the  one  at 
Memphis,  already  mentioned  in  this  report.  Each  boat  has  its  sur- 
geon and  hospital,  or  sick  bay. 

I am  not  able  to  give  the  average  number  of  sick  in  the  fleet? 


15 


bnt  think,  however,  that,  from  the  nature  of  the  service,  it  is 
greater  than  among  an  ^qual  number  of  men  in  the  army.  I have 
furnished  them  sanitary  supplies  as  freely  as  it  was  in  my  power  to 
do.  Some  of  the  most  gratifying  acknowledgments  of  the  benefi- 
cial effects  accomplished  by  the  Sanitary  Commission  liave  been 
received  by  me  from  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Mississippi  Squad- 
ron. The  hospitals  on  the  boats,  like  regimental  hospitals,  are  sel- 
dom able  to  accumulate  a fund ; and  as  a large  part  of  their  sick 
are  there  treated,  sanitary  supplies  are  peculiarly  acceptable  to 
them. 

The  Gulf  Squadron  rendezvous  at  New  Orleans.  Its  number 
and  strength,  or  their  sanitary  wants,  I am  unable  to  give  you. 
With  the  exception  of  the  number  of  vessels,  I think  both  equal 
that  of  the  Mississippi  fleet. 


FREEDMEN. 

By  the  kindness  of  Col.  Eaton,  Superintendent  of  Freedmen, 
Department  of  the  Tennessee  and  State  of  Arkansas,  I am  able 
to  present  some  items  relative  to  the  freedmen  under  his  care. 
The  whole  number  of  freedmen  in  the  department  and  Arkansas, 
is  seven  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  (750,000).  The  number  under 
his  supervision  is  two  hundred  thousand  (200,000).  The  number 
of  sick  in  general  hospitals  is  twenty-five  hundred  (2500).  It  is  a 
matter  of  almost  daily  occurrence  to  receive  applications  for  sanita- 
ry supplies  for  freedmen.  Except  in  extreme  cases,  I have  not 
deemed  it  advisable  to  divert  any  of  the  supplies  received  by  me 
from  the  purposes  to  which  they  were  originally  designed  by  the 
donors.  Cases  of  great  and  extreme  suffering  I have  occasionally 
supplied — and  have  also,  upon  several  occasions,  made  application 
to  the  proper  sources  at  the  north,  and  have  obtained  and  disbursed 
special  donations  of  supplies,  made  for  them  in  answer  to  my  ap- 
' peals. 

SANITARY  MATTERS  IN  GENERAL. 

In  my  report  from  the  Department  of  the  Cumberland  and  Ohio, 
I stated  that  the  supply  of  sanitary  stores  had  been  ample,  and 
that  the  want  of  transportation  south  of  Nashville  was  the  great 
hindrance  in  the  way  of  effectually  supplying  the  wants  of  the 
troops.  Since  my  visit,  the  position  of  the  armies  have  been 


16 


changed,  and  events  have  occurred  making  the  wants  greater  than 
then  anticipated.  Active  operations,  by  two  Federal  armies,  have 
been  ioaugurated,  and  this,  too,  in  the  winter  season,  when  the 
men  will  need  more  than  ordinary  care  and  attention.  In  making 
calculations  as  to  what  amount  of  sanitary  stores  will  be  needed  to 
meet  the  demand  in  these-  departments,  the  army  under  General 
Sherman,  now  nearing  the  sea  coast,  may  be  included,  as  it  is 
composed  largely  of  western  and  Illinois  troops ; and  wherever 
the  fortunes  of  war  may  place  them,  it  is  due  them  that  they  should 
not  be  forgotten  and  neglected. 

Winter  campaigns,  and  especially  those  involving  long  marches, 
are  very  severe  and  trying  upon  the  troops.  They  will  suffer  much, 
aside  from  the  wounded  in  battles  already  fought,  and  others 
doubtless  to  be  fought,  before  spring,  near  Hashville  and  elsewhere. 
The  number  of  sick  will  be  more  than  ordinarily  large.  Our 
friends  will  need  not  only  not  to  relax  their  exertions  in  that  quar- 
ter, but,  if  possible,  to  increase  their  ordinary  contributions.  Any 
surplus  on  hand,  originally  designed  for  points  south  of  Chatta- 
nooga, will  be  quickly  exhausted  in  the  increased  demand  caused 
by  the  active  resumption  of  hostilities  in  the  department.  I esti- 
mate the  average  number  of  sick  and  wounded  in  the  Departments 
of  the  Cumberland  and  Ohio  at  fully  twenty  thousand,  (20,000.) 
Illinois  is  called  upon  to  do  even  more  in  their  behalf  than  was 
anticipated  at  the  date  of  my  last  report. 

The  State  Sanitary  Board,  having  the  matter  under  consideration 
of  sending  a shipment  of  vegetables  and  other  supplies  to  the  army 
of  General  Sherman,  after  it  shall  have  reached  the  coast,  I will 
state,  in  this  connection,  that  when  at  ISTew  Orleans,  the  Quarter- 
master of  the  Gulf  Department  assured  me  that  he  would  gladly 
afford  the  Sanitary  Board  every  facility  for  their  transportation, 
and  would  place  at  their  disposal,  for  the  trip,  an  entire  steamship, 
if  required. 

As  to  the  sanitary  work  in  the  department  bordering  upon  the 
Mississippi,  I am  able  to  speak  advisedly,  having  been  connected 
with  it  since  the  battle  of  Shiloh.  The  number  and  capacity  of  the 
hospitals  is  given  above.  The  average  number  of  sick  and  wounded 
is  nearly  or  quite  fifteen  thousand,  (15,000.)  The  future  demand 
for  sanitary  supplies  will  not,  I apprehend,  he  materially  dimin- 
ished to  the  close  of  the  war.  Yarious  reasons  might  be  given  in 
support  of  this  conclusion,  although  it  may  not  be,  as  formerly,  the 


17 


theatre  of  operations  of  large  armies.  Experience  demonstrates 
that  railroads,  for  lines  of  communication,  are  unsatisfactory,  and 
will  be  discarded  as  far  as  possible,  liivers,  when  accessible  to 
gun  boats,  are  more  to  be  desired  for  this  purpose.  We  may  expect, 
therefore,  that  points  on  the  Mississippi — though  active  hostilities, 
on  a large  scale,  be  not  resumed  here — will  continue  to  be  used,  as 
far  as  practicable,  for  the  bases  of  supplies,  and  for  the  con- 
centration and  transfer  of  troops.  If,  consequent  upon  victories 
which  may  be  achieved  at  the  east,  the  rebel  armies  should  retire 
towards  or  into  the  Gulf  States,  we  may  expect  that  such  will  be 
the  case  to  a more  than  ordinary  extent.  Since  the  fall  of  Yicks- 
burg,  I think  the  eJfforts  of  our  friends  iai  Illinois  have  not  only 
sensibly  relaxed,  but  have  not  kept  pace  with  the  actual  wants  of 
the  soldiers  here.  This  has  not  been  because  they  have  lost  inte- 
rest in  the  work,  but  because  they  had  supposed  so  large  a supply 
as  formerly  not  needed.  When  special  appeals  have  been  made  to 
them,  they  have  liberally  responded.  This  has  been  especially  true 
of  certain  portions  of  the  State,  which  I might  mention.  A point 
to  be  taken  into  consideration,,  in  urging  contributions  for  these 
departments,  is,  that  transportation  is  easy  and  abundant,  and  sup- 
plies sent  forward  can  be  easily  and  economically  administered. 
They  are  not  subject  to  the  delays  always  attendant  upon  transpor- 
tation by  an  over-crowded  military  railroad.  In  the  case  of  vege- 
tables, and  other  articles  of  perishable  nature,  this  is  particularly 
important. 

As  this  is  the  last  report  which  I shall  have  the  honor  to  make 
your  Excellency,  a brief  resume  of  my  doings  will  not  be  out  of 
place.  I have  acted  as  Military  and  Sanitary  Agent  for  Illinois, 
either  by  appointment  of  yourself  or  by  the  State  Sanitary  Board, 
since  May  13,  1862.  My  lirst  labors  were  of  a more  desultory 
character  than  latterly.  F olio  wing  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing, 
during  the  siege  of  Corinth,  and  the  subsequent  operations  by 
General  Grant  in  the  Department  of  the  Tennessee,  I accompanied 
several  cargoes  of  stores  collected  in  Illinois,  and  distributed  them, 
mainly  in  bulk,  to  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  regiments  in  the 
field.  My  labors  being  then  considered  of  a temporary  character, 
and  disbursements  being  hastily  made,  owing  to  the  urgency  of  the 
occasion,  it  was  impossible  to  keep  an  exact  account  of  the  quantity 
and  value  of  the  supplies  then  given  out.  I am  able  to  approxi- 
mate, howeve^,  sufficiently  near  for  all  practical  purposes.  Being 


18 


urged  to  continue  in  the  field,  I felt  it  m j duty  so  to  do,  though  at 
a personal  sacrifice.  In  all  my  labors,  I can  frankly  say,  that  I 
have  done  nothing  that,  if  possible,  I would  now  undo.  The  sup- 
plies distributed  by  me  have  been,  for  the  most  part,  the  contribu- 
tions of  the  loyal  hearts  of  Illinois ; and  it  might  also  be  said,  with 
entire  justice,  the  patriotic  offerings  of  the  noble  women  of  our 
State.  My  duties  have  brought  me  much  in  contact  with  them, 
and  I take  this  occasion  to  say,  that  in  whatever  was  designed  to 
contribute  to  the  well-being  and  comfort  of  the  soldiers,  they  have 
always  manifested  a degree  of  sympathy  and  interest  not  equaled 
by  any  other  class  of  citizens.  Their  sacrifices  and  heroism  will 
form  no  small  part  of  the  as  yet  unwritten  history  of  this  war. 

Upon  my  duties  assuming  a more  permanent  character,  and  feel- 
ing the  necessity  of  giving  form  and  system  to  my  labors,  in 
August,  1862,  I established  a Sanitary  Depot  at  Jackson,  Tenn. 
An  account  was  kept  of  all  articles  received,  and  receipts  taken  for 
aU  given  out.  Great  care  has  been  taken  in  making  disbursements. 
Correspondence  has  been  opened  with  various  Soldiers’  Aid  Socie- 
ties through  the  State ; and  latterly  a large  portion  of  the  supplies 
have  been  obtained  by  creating  a personal  interest  in  this  agency. 
Upon  the  evacuation  of  Jackson,  (which  took  place  in  July,  1863,) 
the  agency  was  removed  to  Memphis,  Tenn.  In  addition  to  the 
disbursement  of  supplies,  the  agency  has  also  been  a military  one. 
In  their  personal  matters  the  boys  continually  need  the  counsel  of 
some  one  more  experienced  than  themselves.  Their  papers  get 
lost,  and  need  to  be  replaced.  When  away  from  their  regiments, 
their  “descriptive  rolls”  must  be  sent  for;  they  require  advice  as 
to  drawing  their  pay,  bounty,  etc.;  they  get  into  trouble,  and  need 
assistance  in  various  ways.  One  can  see,  at  a glance,  that  the 
labors  of  an  agent,  in  this  respect  alone,  must  accomplish  much 
good,  and  are  almost  indispensable. 

During  the  thirty  (30)  months  last  past,  this  agency  has  dis- 
bursed sanitary  supplies  to  the  amount  of  three  hundred  and  sev- 
enty-five thousand  dollars  ($375,000).  This  has  been  done  at  an 
expense,  so  far  as  this  agency  is  concerned,  of  about  one  (1)  per 
cent. 

My  acquaintance  with  officers  of  the  army  has  been  general  and 
agreeable.  They  have  afforded  me  unusual  facilities.  Kooms  have 
been  placed  at  my  disposal,  free  of  charge.  Convalescent  soldiers 
have  been  detailed  to  my  assistance.  In  various  ways  they  have 


19 


afforded  me  aid,  which,  in  most  cases,  otherwise  obtained,  would 
have  been  at  much  expense. 

There  are  several  classes  of  cases  in  which  the  generous  inten- 
tions of  your  Excellency  and  the  State  Sanitary  Board  toward  the 
soldiers  could  not  be  carried  into  execution,  from  the  fact  that  un- 
like other  States,  no  fund  of  any  consequence  has  been  placed  at 
your  disposal  with  which  to  meet  them.  Sudden  emergencies 
arise,  by  reason  of  unexpected  movements  or  battles,  which  cannot 
be  met  in  the  ordinary  way.  Again,  certain  kinds  of  articles  re- 
quisite to  the  comfort  of  the  soldier,  are  not  contributed,  and  can 
only  be  procured  by  purchase  in  the  market  for  cash.  Still  again, 
agents  in  the  field  should  always  have  at  their  disposal,  (as  indeed 
the  agents  of  most  other  States  do  have),  money  to  relieve  particu- 
lar and  individual  cases  of  suffering.  For  instance,  the  sick  fur- 
loughed soldier,  without  means,  as  is  most  often  the  case,  is  fur- 
nished government  transportation  home.  This  is  deck  passage  on 
the  steamboat.  In  many  cases,  it  is  as  much  as  a soldier’s  life  is 
worth  to  attempt  it.  While  I write,  a number  of  Illinois  soldiers, 
furloughed,  without  money,  not  having  been  paid  for  nearly  a year, 
apply  to  me  for  the  loan  of  a small  sum  each,  to  enable  them  to 
reach  home.  Illinois  makes  no  provision  for  such  cases.  Almost 
all  other  States  are  prepared  in  such  instances,  which  might  be 
multiplied  indefinitely,  to  render  assistance.  If  nothing  further, 
the  soldier  would  be  glad  to  receive  the  necessary  amount  as  a loan, 
to  be  reimbursed  out  of  his  pay. 

For  all  such  purposes^  the  Sanitary  Board,  by  no  fault  of  their 
own,  have  been  enabled  to  furnish  me  the  pitiful  sum  of  less  than 
three  hundred  dollars  ($300).  This  is  not  creditable  to  our  State. 
The  Legislatures  of  other  States  have  almost  universally  made  gen- 
erous provision  for  the  sanitary  and  other  wants  of  their  soldiers. 
It  is  proper  that  Illinois  should  not  be  behind  hand  in  this  regard. 
I would  suggest  that  your  Excellency  recommend  the  appropria- 
tion by  the  Legislature  of  the  sum  of  two  hundred  thousand  dol- 
lars ($200,000),  to  be  used  in  such  manner,  and  under  such  re- 
strictions as  they  may  see  fit,  in  relief  of  the  sanitary  and  other 
wants  of  Illinois  soldiers  in  the  military  Division  of  West  Missis- 
sippi. In  my  opinion,  the  sum  is  quite  small  enough  to  be  appro- 
priated by  the  great  and  prosperous  State  of  Illinois  for  these  pur- 
poses. 


20 


OTHER  COSfMISSIONS. 

My  intercourse  with  the  United  States’  Christian,  and  Western 
Sanitary  Commissions,  has  been  of  the  most  cordial  and  co-opera- 
tive character.  Their  operations  in  these  departments  are  exten- 
sive, and  their  affairs  economically  administered.  Their  managers 
and  agents,  so  far  as  my  observation  goes,  are  business  men,  a 
great  desideratum,  as  experience  has  satisfied  me  that  none  others, 
however  good  their  intentions  may  be,  can  safely  be  made  the  al- 
moners of  our  bounty  to  the  soldiers.  The  Christian  Commission 
has  many  agents  and  delegates  in  the  several  departments,  and  in 
its  appropriate  sphere,  has  doubtless  accomplished  much  good,  the 
amount  of  .which  can  never  be  full}?-  known  in  this  world.  I am 
much  indebted  to  the  North  Western  Commission  of  Chicago  for 
many  favors  shown.  They  deserve  our  thanks.  In  August,  1863, 
James  E.  Yeatman,  President  of  the  Western  Sanitary  Commis- 
sion, at  St.  Louis,  made  this  agency  a depot  for  disbursing  the  sup- 
plies of  that  Commission.  Since  then,  he  has  shipped  me  in  lib- 
eral quantities,  and  of  kinds  of  articles  not  usually  contributed  by 
our  friends  in  Illinois.  He  has  answered  my  requisitions  prompt- 
ly and  with  generous  hand.  Ilis  kind  co-operation  with  this  agen- 
cy deserves  our  hearty  thanks. 

AN  ILLINOIS  HOSPITAL  OR  ASYLUM. 

In  previous  communication-&  to  your  Excellency,  I have  urged 
the  establishment  by  the  Federal  Government  of  a general  hospital 
in  Illinois,  to  which  our  permanently  diseased  and  disabled  sol- 
diers might  be  taken  for  treatment.  I can  add  nothing  new  to 
what  I have  already  urged  upon  this  question.  My  views  relative 
to  its  necessity  are  in  nowise  diminished.  Such  a hospital  should 
partake  of  the  character  of  a State  asylum,  where  the  hopelessly 
diseased  and  maimed  might  find  a home.  No  more  deserving  ob- 
ject of  our  sympathies,  I will  not  say  charity,  could  be  suggested. 
We  make  suitable  provision  for  the  helpless  in  our  midst,  as  the 
blind,  the  deaf  and  dumb,  etc.  Not  to  do  so,  would  mark  us  as 
behind  the  Christian  civilization  of  the  age.  Why  not  then  make 
the  same  provision  for  our  disabled  soldiers.  In  so  doing  we 
should  only  repay  in  part  the  lasting  debt  of  gratitude  we  owe  them, 
and  we  could  certainly  do  nothing  more  gratifying  to  them,  than 
to  assure  them  of  a home  in  their  own  State,  and  among  their  own 


21 


friends,  where  their  declining  years  might  be  spent  in  rest  and 
comfort.  I respectfully  suggest  that  you  recommend  the  Legisla- 
ture to  memorialize  Congress  upon  the  subject. 

GENEUAL  EEMARKS. 

The  Mississippi  river,  and  the  country  bordering  upon  it,  must 
ever  be  of  peculiar  interest  to  Illinoisans.  At  the  outset  of  the 
war,  Illinois  had  pledged  her  honor  that  the  great  river  which  wash- 
ed her  western  boundaries,  should  bear  her  commerce,  without  trib- 
ute, to  the  gulf.  Right  gallantly  did  she  redeem  her  pledge.  The 
blood  of  her  sons  has  tinged  its  turbid  current,  and  the  bodies  of 
thousands  repose  upon  its  banks.  Illinois  will  see  to  it,  that  after 
such  sacritice,  she  has  free  and  uninterrupted  intercourse  through- 
out its  entire  length,  forever.  By  the  victories,  largely  attributable 
to  the  valor  of  her  troops,  won  at  Belmont,  Donelson,  Shiloh  and 
Yicksburg,  she  has  acquired  in  it  an  indefeasible  right  of  property. 
Here  was  the  valor  of  her  volunteers  first  proven.  Here  were  the 
first  successes  to  the  Federal  arms  in  the  war  gained,  infusing  hope 
and  courage  into  the  entire  north,  and  giving  needed  confidence  in 
a favorable  result.  For  all  her  sacrifice  of  blood  and  life,  Illinois 
will  reap  a portion  of  her  reward  in  the  gift  to  the  coming  millions 
who  are  destined  to  inhabit  the  State,  of  this  outlet  to  the  ocean,  of 
incalculable  and  ever  increasing  value. 

In  no  portion  of  the  insurrectionary  States  are  the  effects  of  the 
war  so  manifest  as  in  the  country  bordering  upon  the  great  river. 
Not  because  the  actual  ravages  of  war  have  been  greater  here  than 
elsewhere,  but  that  the  contrast  is  greater  in  that  what  is  now  a com- 
parative solitude,  was  formerly  one  of  the  most  busy  avenues  of 
trade  and  commerce  in  the  world,  its  waters  covered  with  shipping, 
its  banks  lined  with  flourishing  villages  and  cities,  the  entrepots  of 
the  valuable  products  of  vast  sections  of  country,  now  seldom  else 
than  mere  fortified  posts,  enjoying  commercially  only  the  local  traf- 
fic made  necessary  by  the  scanty  wants  of  the  impoverished  people 
within  the  lines  of  actual  occupation,  and  that  of  the  garrisons,  and 
Federal  troops.  The  shores  of  the  river  were  once  lined  with  flour- 
ishing plantations  and  princely  residences.  These  are  now  desert- 
ed and  desolate.  Upon  the  return  of  peace,  it  will  certainly  be- 
come an  interesting  question,  who  are  to  possess  these  fertile  acres. 


22 


and  under  a voluntary  and  compensated  system  of  labor,  develop 
their  agricultural  wealth. 

New  Orleans  presents  but  a sorry  contrast  to  her  former  flour- 
ishing condition.  The  crowded  levee,  once  the  pride  and  boast  of 
the  business  men  of  the  south,  is  comparatively  deserted.  The 
miles  of  foreign  and  domestic  shipping  are  no  longer  seen.  Its 
spacious  warehouses  are  empty.  The  old,  familiar  faces  have  dis- 
appeared. The  places  of  the  cotton  and  sugar  lords  of  the  south 
are  being  replaced  by  the  enterprising  business  men  of  the  north, 
who  await  the  return  of  peace  to  restore  the  city,  under  new  and 
better  auspices,  to  its  former  state  of  commercial  prosperity. 

Before  closing  this  report,  I wish  to  return  my  sincere  thanks 
to  Adjutant  General  Fuller,  and  the  members  of  the  State  Sanitary 
Board,  and  its  energetic  and  accomplished  Secretary,  Col.  J ohn  R. 
"Woods.  My  official  intercourse  with  them  has  been  of  the  most 
harmonious  and  pleasant  character.  They  have  invariably  treated 
me  with  the  greatest  kindness  and  courtesy,  and  the  remembrance 
will  be  pleasant  to  the  latest  hour  of  my  life. 

I beg  leave  also  to  return  your  Excellency  my  grateful  acknowl- 
edgments for  the  unvaried  confidence  you  have  been  pleased  to  re- 
pose in  me,  and  to  assure  you  that  if  in  the  performance  of  my  du- 
ties I have  done  aught  amiss,  my  regret  would  be  largely  increased 
by  the  thought  that  you  would  be  called  upon  to  bear  a portion  of 
the  censure. 

In  putting  into  execution  your  generous  and  unselfish  intentions 
towards  the  brave  volunteers  of  Illinois,  your  path  has  been  a dif- 
ficult one.  The  soldiers  understand  this,  and  I speak  what  I do 
know,  when  I say  that  they  daily  and  hourly  bless  the  name  of 
Richard  Yates  for  all  that  he  has  done  in  their  behalf. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

THOS.  P.  ROBB, 

Col.  and  Agent. 

[The  foregoin"  report,  through  inadvertence  of  the  printer,  takes  precedence  of  the 
one  commencing  on  the  opposite  page.  It  should  have  followed  it.] 


DEPARTMENT  0F  THE  CUMBERLAND. 


His  Excellency,  Kichahd  Yates, 

Govei'nor  of  Utinois^  Springfeld: 

Sm : On  the  25th  September  last,  I received  your  message,  or- 

dering me  to  proceed  at  once  to  Nashville,  and  there  await  yonr 
v/ritten  instructions.  Leaving  Memphis  on  the  26th  September,  I 
arrived  at  Nashville  on  the  30th  of  the  same  month.  Finding, 
upon  my  arrival  at  that  point,  that  direct  communication,  by  rail- 
road, with  points  south  of  Nashville,  was  temporarily  interrupted, 
the  effect  of  a raid  by  the  rebel  General  Forrest,  that  it  would  be 
some  days  before  that  communication  was  fully  restored,  and 
knowing  that  instructions,  when  received,  would  contemplate  a 
visit  by  me  to  military  posts  south  of  Nashville,  I deemed  it  not 
expedient  to  aw’ait  the  repairs  of  the  railroad,  and  returned,  with- 
out delay,  to  Memphis,  and  my  ordinary  duties  there. 

On  the  8th  October,  ult.,  I again  received,  by  telegraph,  your 
order  to  report  at  Springfield ; and,  upon  my  arrival  there,  in  due 
time,  found  awaiting  me  written  instructions,  which,  in  brief,  were 
as  follows : “To  visit  the  Department  of  the  Cumberland,  and  the 

armies  of  the  Tennessee,  Cumberland  and  Ohio,  and  make 
thorough  inspection  of  the  sanitary  condition  of  all  Illinois  troops 
in  those  armies'  both  in  the  field  and  General  Hosf^ls ; also  dis- 
close necessary  steps  to  be  taken  to  provide  them  with  all  needful 
supplies  of  sanitary  stores,  requisite  to  their  comfort  and  efiiciency, 
during  the  fall  and  winter  campaign.”  I have  performed  the 
duties  assigned  me,  so  far  as  it  was  practicable  for  me  to  do  so,  and 
beg  leave  to  make  the  following  report : 

SANITARY  MATTERS  IN  GENERAL. 

At  Nashville,  Tennessee,  is  established  the  only  State  Agency, 
sustained  by  Illinois  in  the  Department  of  the  Cumberland.  I 


24 


found  our  State  Agent  at  that  point,  Edward  I.  Eno,  Esq.,  actively 
engaged  in  the  duties  pertaining  to  his  office.  His  held  of  labor  is 
a large  and  extended  one.  So  large  in  fact,  especially  in  view  of 
the  vast  military  operations  that  for  the  last  season  have  been  car- 
ried on  in  that  department,  that  it  would  seem  impossible  for  one 
person  to  accomplish  what  should  be  done,  to  the  proper  super- 
vision and  relief  of  the  Illinois  troops  in  the  department.  Mr. 
Eno  is  active  and  energetic,  and  seems  to  have  accomplished  all 
that  was  possible  to  be  done,  with  the  means  at  his  disposal,  in 
relieving  the  necessities  of  our  soldiers  in  hospital,  and  so  far  as 
was  in  his  power,  in  the  held. 

In  his  sanitary  labors,  by  the  direction  of  the  State  Sanitary 
Board  at  Springheld,  he  has  co-operated  with  the  United  States 
Sanitary  Commission,  at  Louisville,  Nashville,  Chattanooga,  and 
Atlanta.  I was  informed  by  Mr.  Eno  that  the  board,  instead  of 
establishing  an  exclusively  Illinois  Sanitary  Disbursing  Depot  in 
this  department,  concluded  to  send  whatever  supplies  could  be  fur- 
nished by  the  board,  to  Dr.  Newberry,  Secretary  of  the  United 
States  Sanitary  Commission,  at  Louisville,  and  have,  from  time  to 
time,  sent  to  him  both  money  and  supplies  in  liberal  quantities,  to 
be  used  and  applied  by  him  as  he  might  deem  advisable. 

I make  this  statement  that  the  friends  of  Illinois  soldiers  may 
be  satisfied  and  assured  that  their  gifts  have  reached,  through  pro- 
per and  well  recognized  channels,  the  intended  recipients,  and  to 
c-orrect  any  contrary  impressions,  created  by  the  fact  that  owing  to 
this  arrangement  they  receive  no  direct  or  specific  report  of  the 
disbursement  of  the  particular  supplies  donated  by  them,  and  only 
appear  as  going  to  swell  the  aggregate  amounts  shown  to  have 
been  disbursed  by  the  United  States  Commission.  The  statements 
hereafter  given  in  this  report  of  the  disbursements  of  that  commis-  . 
sion  in  this  department,  will  go  far  to  show  (if,  indeed,  they  are  not 
deemed  conclusive,  as  I think  they  must  be,)  that  these  supplies 
have  been  well  and  faithfully  applied  to  the  sacred  purpose  for 
which  they  were  designed. 

In  addition  to  the  receipts  hj  the  United  States  Commission  from 
our  Illinois  Sanitary  Board,  I am  informed  by  Mr.  Eno,  that  a num-  ^ 
her  of  Illinois  Ladies’  Aid  Societies  have  occasionally  shipped  to 
him  hospital  supplies,  which,  on  their  receipt,  he  has  turned  over 
to  the  above  commission,  except  in  some  few  instances,  when  deem- 
ed best,  he  has  delivered  them  directly  to  hospitals. 


While  upon  this  subject,  I would  also  report  that  the  Northwest- 
ern Sanitary  Commission  at  Chicago,  (a  branch  of  the  United 
States  Sanitary  Commission,)  has  likewise  sent  to  the  United  States 
Commission,  at  Louisville,  money  and  sanitary  stores  in  large  quan- 
tities, a fair,  and,  indeed,  large  proportion  of  which  was  collected 
and  contributed  at  Chicago,  and  other  localities  tnroughout  the 
State.  All  these  have  been,  as  I believe,  well  and  faithfully  appro- 
priated and  disbursed  through  the  regular  channels  of  the  commis- 
sion, and  I am  happy  to  say  that  the  facts  and  figures  submitted  to 
me  by  the  obliging  ofiicers  of  the  commission,  show  to  my  mind 
conclusively,  that  the  contributions  from  our  State,  applied  to  the 
relief  of  the  wants  of  the  sick  and  wounded  of  this  department, 
have  been  very  large,  and  that,  though  the  Sanitary  Board  have 
been  compelled  by  circumstances  to  adopt  a plan  in  their  disburse- 
ment not  ordinary,  and,  unhappily,  perhaps  not  fully  iinderstood  by 
the  contributors,  or  by  the  soldiers,  the  recipients  of  the  contri- 
butions, that  nevertheless  Illinois  has  not  been  remiss  in  her  efforts 
to  supply  the  wants  of  her  soldiers,  or  in  the  least  forgetful  of  her 
brave  sons  in  the  Departments  of  the  Cumberland  and  Ohio. 

It  would  doubtless  be  more  satisfactory  to  the  soldiers  and  to  all 
concerned,  if  they  could  be  made  acquainted  with  all  the  facts  in 
the  case,  and  were  informed  that  in  receiving  benefactions  from  the 
United  States  Commission  they  were  receiving  them  through  the 
regular  channels  adopted  by  the  Illinois  Sanitary  Board  to  disburse 
the  contributions  of  the  friends  of  the  Illinois  soldier.  There 
would  then  be  no  occasion  for  the  mistaken  feeling  somewhat  preva- 
lent among  our  troops,  that  in  this  distant  field,  Illinois  and  their 
friends  at  home  had  forgotten  them. 

In  this  tour  of  inspection,  I have  met  many  Illinois  surgeons, 
ofiicers  and  soldiers  in  the  field,  who  were  not  advised  of  the  above 
plan  as  to  the  distribution  of  the  supplies  contributed  by  their  friends, 
or  of  the  instructions  given  our  agent  at  Nashville,  by  your  excel- 
lency, and  have  no  reason  to  doubt  but  that  the  same  want  of  know- 
ledge of  the  true  state  of  facts  in  the  premises  prevails  extensively 
throughout  the  Illinois  regiments  in  this  department,  and  has  been 
the  source  of  much  feeling  that  they  were  being  neglected  and 
forgotten  by  their  own  State.  Were  they  fully  informed  of  the 
nature  of  the  course  adopted,  and  the  necessity  existing  for  the 
adoption  of  that  course,  all  this  feeling  would  of  course  vanish. 


26 


My  attention  was  called  to  one  more  fact,  which,  at  the  time,  was 
the  prolific  cause  of  much  ill-feeling  and  dissatisfaction.  About 
the  time  of  the  advance  of  the  army  from  Kingston,  Georgia,  an 
agreement  was  entered  into  between  Dr.  Deed,  of  the  United 
States  Sanitary  Commission,  and  Mr.  Collins,  agent  of  the  West- 
ern Sanitary  Commission,  to  the  effect  that  the  Western  Commis- 
sion should  supply  the  loth,  16th  and  17th  Army  Corps,  and  the- 
United  States  Commission  all  the  other  corps  of  the  army.  This 
course,  undoubtedly  well  intended,  and,  if  fully  understood,  per- 
haps the  best  that  could  be  pursued  for  all  concerned,  was  the 
cause  of  much  complaint.  To  a business  mind,  it  will  at  once 
appear  that  it  would  cause  much  confusion,  as  well  as  ill-feeling, 
unless  every  surgeon  and  soldier  was  made  acquainted  with  the 
agreement,  and  the  necessity  leading  to  it.  For  instance,  a surgeon 
belonging  to  the  16th  Arm^^  Corps  makes  a requisition  upon  the 
United  States  Sanitary  Commission  for  supplies  for  his  sick  and 
wounded.  It  is  not  filled,  and  he  is  informed  that  the  16th  Corps 
must  apply  to  the  Western  Commission  for  its  sanitary  supplies. 
Not  that  the  United  States  Commission  have  not  the  supplies 
desired,  or  are  disposed  to  withhold  them  from  the  needy  soldier ; 
but  he  is  refused  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  agreement 
entered  into  as  above  stated,  and  of  which  he  is  ignorant.  The 
consequence  of  all  this  would  be,  that  unless  the  surgeon  was  made 
fully  acquainted  with  the  matter,  he  would  doubtless  think  that  he 
had  good  cause  to  be  offended,  and  more  especially  if  he  were  the 
surgeon  of  an  Illinois  regiment,  and  knew  that  sanitary  supplies 
from  Illinois  were  for  the  most  part  directed  into  the  channels  of 
the  United  States  Commission. 

Another  reason,  perhaps,  why  the  feeling  prevails  among  our 
soldiers  that  they  were  being  to  some  extent  neglected,  is  to  be 
found  in  the  fact,  that  many  of  the  Illinois  regiments  now  in  this 
Department  were  formerly  in  the  Department  of  the  Tennessee, 
where  they  were  in  the  habit  of  being  regularly  visited  and 
inspected  by  some  agent  of  the  State,  the  personal  wants  of  the 
soldiers  carefully  looked  after,  and  their  sanitary  wants,  to  a great 
degree,  directly  relieved  by  Illinois  agents.  By  all  these  means, 
the  soldiers  were  brought  into  direct  contact  and  communication 
with  their  own  friends,  and  were  thus  constantly  reminded  that 
those  friends  were  carefully  attending  to  their  best  interests,  and 
that  their  health  and  well-being  were  being  made  the  constant  and 


27 


unremitting  care  of  your  Excellency  and  the  State  authorities.  In 
this  department,  the  reverse  of  all  this  has  necessarily  been  the 
case.  If  remediless,  as  it  undoubtedly  is,  under  the  order  of  Gen. 
Sherman,  permitting  but  two  Sanitary  Commissions  to  operate  in 
the  department,  and,  under  that  order,  having  designated  the 
United  States  and  the  Western,  it  is,  neverthelesss,  in  my  opinion, 
a matter  to  be  regretted.  The  soldier,  of  all  others,  needs  sympa- 
thy, and  to  be  made  to  feel  that  he  is  cared  for  by  friends  at  home, 
and,  to  the  full,  appreciates  that  care  and  remembrance.  So  far  as 
I have  been  able,  I have  explained  to  them  the  course  pursued  by 
the  State  Sanitary  Board,  and  the  necessity  existing  for  pursuing 
that  course,  as  well  as  the  nature  of  the  instructions  given  to  Mr. 
Eno  by  your  Excellency.  In  all  cases,  they  expressed  themselves 
satisfied  with  the  explanation,  and  universally  acknowdedged  that 
they  had  received  liberal  donations  of  sanitary  supplies  from  both 
the  United  States  and  Western  Commissions,  and  had  no  cause  of 
complaint  in  that  regard. 

In  view  of  all  these  facts,  I would  respectfully  recommend  that, 
if  the  present  plan  of  co-operation  with  the  United  States  Commis- 
sion be  continued,  some  measures  be  taken  by  which  the  Illinois 
soldiers  in  this  Department  may  be  made  fully  acquainted  with  it, 
and  thus  made  to  feel  more  at  home  in  asking  relief  of  this  Com- 
mission, and  that  their  interests  and  wants  are  still  our  constant 
care. 

U pon  the  settled  basis  that  there  are  to  be  but  two  Sanitary  Com- 
missions in  the  Department  of  the  Cumberland — viz : the  Western 
and  the  United  States,  and  the  Illinois  Sanitary  Board  co-operating 
with  the  latter — Mr.  Eno,  our  agent  at  Nashville,  suggests  a plan 
for  the  future  distribution  of  sanitary  supplies,  to  take  the  place  of 
the  present  organized  system;  which  system  has  certainly  afforded 
much  ground  for  complaint  among  those  not  well  informed  in 
regard  to  its  practical  operations.  I most  heartily  concur  in  the 
wisdom  of  the  plan  suggested,  wliich,  in  brief,  is  as  follows : 

1st.  The  establishment  of  a single  dejpot  in  Nashville,  to  which 
both  Commissions  should  send  their  supplies;  each  commission  to 
keep  an  agent  there,  who  should  receipt  to  their  respective  Com- 
missions for  the  goods  received,  keep  them  informed  of  the  wants 
of  the  department,  and  report  all  disbursements  to  both  Commis- 
sions, and  thus  make  Nashville  the  base  of  sanitary  supplies  for 
the  department. 


28 


2nd.  The  Western  Sanitary  Commission  to  have  a fair  repre- 
sentation of  disbursing  agents  at  the  front,  and  all  agents  to  report 
in  duplicate  to  the  two  Commissions. 

3rd.  To  keep  up  the  identity  of  both  Commissions,  all  receipts 
should  be  made  to  read,  “Received  from  the  United  States  and 
Western  Sanitary  Commissions.” 

I am  informed  that  Mr.  Collins,  agent  of  the  W^estern  Sanitary 
Commission  in  this  department,  approves  of  the  general  features 
of  the  above  plan.  Mr.  Eno  also  informed  me  that  he  had  com- 
municated it  to  the  United  States  Commission  at  Louisville,  but  as 
yet  had  received  no  reply. 

DISBURSEMENTS  OF  THE  WESTERN  SANITARY  COMMISSION. 

Ry  the  kindness  of  Mr.  II.  B.  Bluod,  agent  of  this  Commission 
at  hTashville,  I am  able  to  state  the  amount  of  sanitary  supplies 
sent  forward  l\y  this  Commission  from  Rashville  to  the  front,  from 
May  17th  to  September  25th  of  the  present  year.  The  aggregate, 
as  certified  to  me  by  Mr.  Blood,  is  forty -one  (11)  car  loads contain- 
ing four  hundred  and  ten  (110)  tons  of  supplies. 

I w^ould  be  glad  to  give  a detailed  statement  of  the  different 
articles  composing  the  above  ; but,  not  having  been  furnishtd  it,  I 
am  unable  to  give  any.  I am  assured,  however,  that  the  supplies 
thus  sent  forward  and  disbursed,  have  been  of  a very  choice  and 
valuable  character,  and  suited  to  the  wants  of  the  sick  and 
wounded ; and  I have  no  doubt  that  a detailed  statement  would, 
by  the  magnitude  of  the  items  thus  disclosed,  astonish  many  who 
sometimes  wonder  where  all  the  hospital  supplies  raised  throughout 
the  country  are  used. 

DISBURSEMENTS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  SANITARY  COMMISSION. 

It  being  understood  that  the  Illinois  State  Sanitary  Board  co-op- 
erates with  this  Commission  in  this  department,  and  that  the  ISTorth- 
western  Commission  at  Chicago,  which  receives  a large  share  of 
its  supplies  from  the  people  of  our  own  State,  is  also  a branch  of 
this  Commission,  I have  thought  proper  to  notice  its  operations 
more  in  detail,  though  not  at  the  length  I might  desire,  lest  this 
report  be  made  too  voluminous. 

Judge  E.  Root,  agent  in  charge  at  lllashville,  furnishes  me  the 
following  aggregate  statement : “ The  United  States  Sanitary  Com- 


29 


mission  lias  shipped  sanitary  stores  to  the  front  from  Nashville, 
Tennessee,  at  the  rate  of  ONE  HUNDRED  TONS  (100,)  per 
week,  from  May  1st  to  August  15th,  1864.  Since  the  15th  August, 
and  up  to  the  present  time,  they  have  not  shipped  more  than  one- 
half  the  above  quantity,  say  FIFTY  TONS  (50,)  per  week,  owing 
to  raids  on  the  railroad,  and  consequent  want  of  transportation. 
They  have  now,  November  3d,  1864,  on  hand,  in  store  at  Nash- 
ville, over  SIX  HUNDRED  TONS  (600,)  of  sanitary  supplies  to 
go  forward.” 

I have  also  been  furnished  by  Mr.  M.  C.  Reed,  the  very  efficient 
agent  of  the  Commission  at  Chattanooga,  a detailed  statement  of 
the  disbursements  of  the  Commission  at  that  point,  for  the  six 
months  ending  October  1st,  1864.  A few  of  the  more  important 


items  only  I proceed  to  give : 

Pillows,  No., 5,^85 

Pillow  cases.  No., 6,802 

Shirts,  No., 24,836 

Drawers,  pairs, 12,24^ 

Towels  and  Handkerchiefs,  No., 13,004 

Socks,  pairs, 2,980 

Codfish,  lbs., 13,602 

Wines,  etc.,  bottles, 22,759 

Bandages,  lbs., 40,544 

Condensed  beef,  ibs., 27,722 

Condensed  milk,  lbs., 65,104 

Crackers,  lbs., 83,275 

Dried  fruit,  lbs., 85,901 

Farina  and  corn  starch,  lbs., 13,917 

Butter,  lbs., 4,945 

Potatoes,  bushels, 13,313 


These  items,  as  showing  a part  of  the  disbursements  at  a single 
point,  will  sufficiently  demonstrate  the  magnitude  of  the  work,  and 
the  large  amounts  of  supplies  which  can  be  well  bestowed  upon  the 
sick  and  wounded  and  needy  of  a large  army  in  the  field. 

I would  particularly  call  your  attention  to  a Hospital  Garden,  at 
Chattanooga,  under  tlie  direction  and  management  of  Mr.  Reed. 
Its  practical  results  have  been  really  wonderful.  It  consists  of 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres.  The  manual  labor  has  been 
performed  by  convalescents  from  the  hospital,  glad  to  thus  exercise 


30 


in  the  open  air,  as  it  also  tlie  more  rapidly,  if  judiciously  exercised^ 
restored  them  to  full  health  and  vigor.  The  horses  necessary  to 
work  the  garden,  were  taken  from  condemned  government  stock, 
and  rapidly  regained  their  flesh  and  strength.  The  necessary  tools  • 
and  seeds  were  furnished  by  the  Commission,  and  the  garden  has 
thus  been  worked  at  very  little  cost  to  any  one.  The  products 
have  been  enormous.  If  sold  at  Chattanooga,  at  the  market  value, 
they  would  have  realized  more  than  fifty  thousand  dollars.  The 
pickles,  made  from  the  onions  and  fall  tomatoes,  if  sold  at  market 
rates,  would  alone  have  paid  all  expenses.  The  Commission,  and 
its  energetic  agent,  Mr.  Keed,  certainly  deserve  great  credit  for  the 
successful  management  of  the  Hospital  Garden  at  Chattanooga. 

I would  respectfully  suggest  that  wherever  permanent  hospital: 
are  located,  and  it  is  practicable,  agents  interest  themselves  in  the 
establishment  and  working  of  such  gardens,  both  on  account  of  the 
great  beneflt  accruing  to  the  inmates  of  the  hospital  from  an  abun- 
dant supply  at  all  times  of  fresh  vegetables,  and  the  actual  good 
resulting  to  the  convalescing  soldiers,  from  being  afforded  light 
employment  and  exercise.  I am  confident  that  no  equal  amount 
of  good  can  be  accomplished  by  our  agents  and  commissions  in 
any  other  way,  with  the  same  expenditure. 

THE  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION. 

I take  pleasure  in  speaking  of  this  Commission,  which,  through 
its  agencies  at  Atlanta  and  other  points,  I found  actively  engaged 
in  its  all-important  labors.  In  addition  to  its  originally  designed 
work,  it  also  receives  and  disburses,  at  Atlanta,  large  amounts  of 
sanitary  stores.  The  labors  of  this  Commission  are  highly  and 
deservedly  spoken  of  by  the  soldiers,  both  in  field  and  hospital. 
Its  field  is  a large  one,  and,  to  a certain  extent,  one  not  shared  by 
any  other  commission,  and  its  objects  such  as  to  commend  it  to  the 
favorable  consideration  of  all,  and  more  especially  to  the  religious 
part  of  our  community.  I would  gladly  speak  of  it  more  at  length, 
but  my  space  will  not  admit. 

In  this  connection  I would  also  mention  the  general  success 
attending  the  establishment  of  the  Hospital  Diet  Kitchens,  in  the 
Department  of  the  Cumberland.  Mrs.  Anna  Whittemeyer,  an 
active  agent  of  this  Commission,  is  deserving  of  great  credit  for  so 
thoroughly  investigating  the  old  systems  formerly  in  vogue,  and  in 


31 


getting  this  modern  and,  as  I believe,  useful  improvement  so  gen- 
erally introduced.  I am  confident  that  when  surgeons  of  general 
hospitals  have  been  made  acquainted  with  the  practical  advantages 
of  the  diet  kitchen,  it  will  be  established  in  all  of  our  large  United 
States  hospitals. 

HOSPITALS  AND  HOSPITAL  TRAINS. 

There  are  some  forty  hospitals,  of  all  kinds,  in  the  Department 
of  the  Cumberland.  Their  number  will  therefore  render  it  impos- 
sible for  me  to  speak  of  them,  except  in  general  terms.  The 
armies  under  Major  General  Sherman  have  a reputation  now  world 
wide  for  efiiciency.  Their  deeds  in  the  field  attest  it.  In  no 
branch  of  the  army  is  the  cause  of  that  efficiency  shown  in  a 
greater  degree  than  in  its  medical  department.  This  is  as  it  should 
be,  for  nothing  goes  so  far  to  make  the  man  a good  soldier,  as  the 
knowledge  that,  if  sick  or  wounded,  he  will  be  well  taken  care  of. 
I have  visited  most  of  the  hospitals,  and  in  most  instances  have 
found  them  such,  in  location,  arrangement  and  general  appoint- 
ments, as  were  to  be  expected  from  their  connection  with  an  army 
so  well  officered  and  disciplined  as  is  this  one.  The  Medical  Direc- 
tors whom  I have  met  were  gentlemen,  seemingly  well  skilled  in 
their  profession,  and  certainly  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  rou- 
tine appertaining  to  their  offices.  In  every  instance  I have  been 
cordially  received,  and  every  facility  afibrded  me  in  the  discharge 
of  the  duties  of  my  mission.  The  surgeons  in  charge,  with  one  or 
two  exceptions,  seemed  selected  to  fill  their  posts,  both  tor  their 
skill  and  those  kindly  qualities  of  heart,  which,  for  the*  sick  soldier, 
sometimes  work  more  speedy  cures  than  the  most  skillfully  pre- 
pared medicines.  I am  glad  to  give  this  testimony  in  behalf  of 
the  medical  department  here,  and  to  assure  the  friends  of  the  Illi- 
nois soldier,  that  if  sick  or  wounded  in  this  army,  his  wants  are 
nearly  certain  to  be  well  attended  to.  One  hospital  alone,  on  ac- 
count of  its  location,  I would  particularize — the  Lookout  Mountain 
Hospital.  Its  location,  in  most  respects,  m most  desirable.  It  is 
seated  on  an  undulating  piece  of  ground,  near  the  summit,  several 
hundred  acres  in  extent.  The  elevation  is  over  two  thousand  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  sea.  The  surroundings  are  of  the  most 
romantic  character.  Standing  here,  a landscape  stretches  away 
before  the  gaze,  unsurpassed  in  beauty  and  grandeur.  The  Ten- 
nessee, like  a thread  of  silver,  winds  its  way  across  the  valley,  and 


32 


through  the  surrounding  hills,  which  would  seemingly  bar  its  pas- 
sage. Chattanooga  valley,  in  only  seeming  silence,  lies  at  your 
leet,  dotted  with  its  strange  medley  of  tents  and  dwelling  houses, 
breastworks  and  store  houses,  forts  and  churches.  On  your  left  is 
Mission  Kidge,  and  before  you,  stretches  away,  as  far  as  the  eye 
can  see  toward  Atlanta,  the  country  so  recently  torn  from  the  grasp 
of  trahors  by  the  soldiers  of  the  Union.  The  atmosphere  is  bracing, 
the  water  is  pure,  and  in  every  respect,  w^hen  reached,  it  is  a most 
fitting  home  for  the  sick  soldiers.  ' The  main,  if  not  only,  objection 
to  it  lies  in  its  inaccessibility.  The  government,  however,  are 
making  very  extensive  additions  to  the  buildings  already  erected 
there,  and  if  not  used  as  a hospital  proper,  it  can  and  should  be 
always  used  as  a sort  of  Invalides^  a home  for  her  sons  perma- 
nently diseased  and  disabled  in  her  service. 

Dr.  Johns,  of  Decatur,  Illinois,  one  of  my  associate  commission- 
ers, visited  the  hospitals  at  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  and  reported  as 
follows : 

“Under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Josiah  Curtis,  assistant  medical  di- 
rector, Department  of  the  Ohio,  the  Asylum  Hospital  has  been 
redeemed  from  a miserably  dirty  barracks,  to  one  of  the  most  or- 
derly, cleanly,  well  watered,  heated  and  ventilated  hospitals  I have 
visited.  The  plan  of  heating  hospital  tents  by  flues  underneath 
the  centre  of  the  row  of  sixteen  (16)  tents,  terminating  in  a tall 
chimney  to  insure  draft,  produces  a uniform  heat,  at  much  less  ex- 
pense than  any  other  plan  of  heating  tents.  The  entire  repairs 
liave  been  done  by  convalescents,  and  almost  without  cost  to  the 
government.  The  Holstein  Hospital  is  unfinished,  but  has  accom- 
modations for  600  sick,  the  tents  all  heated  by  underground  flues. 
The  policing  of  this  camp,  the  ventilating  of  the  sinks,  in  fact  the 
entire  sanitary  arrangements,  show  the  thoughtfulness  and  skill  of  L 
the  medical  officer  in  charge.  Since  these  reforms  were  instituted, 
the  ratio  of  mortality,  with  an  equally  bad  class  of  patients,  and  du- 
ring the  summer  months,  shows  a decrease  of  forty  per  cent,  over 
the  previous  six  months.” 

In  this  connection,  the  hospital  trains  in  this  department  well 
deserve  a passing  notice.  Military  railroads  are  not  celebrated  for 
their  superior  traveling  accommodations.  Passengers  o fall  ranks, 
as  a general  thing,  are  obliged  to  content  themselves  with  a rough 
seat,  or  no  seat  at  all,  in  a common  box  car.  Hot  so  with  the  sick 
and  w’ounded.  Large,  fine  passenger  cars,  are  neatly  fitted  up  with 


33 


spring  beds,  and  all  the  more  necessary  paraphernalia  of  a hospital. 
These  trains  make  regular  trips  between  Louisville  and  Atlanta. 
Each  train  has  its  regular  set  of  train  oflicers,  and,  in  addition,  its 
steward,  cooks,  ward-masters,  nurses,  and  surgeon  in  charge.  In 
a department  where  the  facilities  of  transportation  are  extremely 
limited,  of  necessity,  these  trains  and  their  good  management  are 
most  excellent  indices  of  the  general  care  and  attention  paid  to  the 
sick  and  wounded. 

THE  TEOOPS  IN  THE  FIELD, 

In  regard  to  the  police  and  sanitary  condition  of  our  regiments 
in  the  field,  little  can  be  said,  aside  from  what  I have  often  written. 
More  than  three  years  spent  m the  field  by  our  surgeons,  have  not 
passed  without  profit  to  themselves,  and  to  their  patients.  The  old 
adage  has  beefi  more  firmly  than  ever  impressed  upon  their  minds, 
that  “an  ounce  of  prevention  is  better  than  a pound  of  cure,”  and 
they  have  learned  by  experience  that  well  policed  camp  grounds 
are  of  even  greater  consequence  than  drugs  and  medicines,  however 
skillfully  administered.  In  the  organization  of  field  hospitals,  also, 
great  and  needed  improvements  have  been  made.  Our  surgeons 
have  given  these  matters  their  attention,  and  the  great  benefits  ac- 
cruing therefrom  to  the  soldier,  are  at  once  made  visible  to  the 
inspector, 

Our  veteran  so.diers  are  not  far  behind  the  surgeons  in  improve- 
ment. They  have  learned  to  “keep  house,”  and  to  give  more  at- 
tention than  formerly  to  their  quarters,  however  temporary,  and  to 
cleanliness,  and  diet.  A surgeon  informed  me  that  the  “boys”  in 
his  regiment  had  become  such'  adepts  in  housekeeping,  that  while 
on  a march  the  other  day,  a stray  porker  happened  to  cross  the 
line,  when  he  saw  four  of  the  boys  pick  Mr.  Porker  up  with 
their  bayonets,  stick  it,  bleed  it,  skin  it,  cut  it  up,  divide  it,  and 
stow  it  away  in  their  haversacks,  and  not  make  a single  mis-step. 
To  the  wonderment  of  their  mess,  they  had  fried  pork  for  dinner. 
The  surgeon  who  related  it  to  me  is  a very  reliable  gentleman. 

WANTS  TO  BE  SUPPLIED. 

It  was  expected  that  this  report  “would  fully  indicate  the  present 
condition  ot  Illinois  troops,  and  also  disclose  necessary  steps  to  be 
taken,  to  provide  them  with  all  needful  supplies  of  sanitary  stores 


34- 


and  aid  requisite  to  their  comfort  and  efficiency  during  the  fall  and 
winter  campaign.” 

As  to  both  these  points,  my  report  will  necessarily  be  somewhat 
defective.  Owing  to  the  peculiar  nature  of  the  movements,  (which 
are  contraband,)  in  the  field,  I have  found  it  absolutely  impossi- 
ble to  reach  a large  portion  of  our  regiments.  Their  future  move- 
ments and  location  are  uncertain.  I am  assured,  however,  that  if 
the  good  people  of  Illinois  shall  continue  their  past  ordinary  efforts 
in  the  contribution  of  supplies,  mainly  of  the  character  they  have 
sent  forwrrd  for  the  last  year,  all  will  have  been  done,  necessary  to 
be  done  in  the  premises,  so  far  as  can  be  seen  at  present.  The 
supply  now  on  hand  at  the  different  commissions  is  large,  and 
through  the  ordinary  channels  will  doubtless  so  continue,  until  the 
armies  of  General  Sherman  shall  have  reached  and  occupied  new 
fields,  to  which  new  and  ampler  means  of  transportation  can  be 
furnished.  Any  new  or  extraordinary  demand  will  at  once  be 
made  public  by  the  agents  of  the  commissions. 

Sherman’s  campaign,  and  the  country  in  which  it  was  made. 

It  may  not  be  deemed  out  of  place  to  mention  briefly  the  promi- 
nent features  of  the  country,  over  which  was  made  the  recent  cam- 
paign of  the  armies  under  command  of  General  Sherman,  culmina- 
ting in  the  capture  of  Atlanta,  and  in  which  campaign  the  sons  of 
Illinois  bore  no  small  or  inglorious  part,  and  by  their  fresh  achieve- 
ments added  to  the  imperishable  laurels  won  in  previous  campaigns 
on  the  banks  of  the  Tennessee  and  the  Mississippi.  The  imme- 
diate neighborhood  of  Chattanooga  is  mountainous,  reminding  me 
strongly  of  the  scenery  among  the  Andes  and  the  Sierra  Nevadas. 
The  valleys  alone  seem  to  be  susceptible  of  cultivation.  The  face 
of  the  country  is  traversed  by  numerous  ridges,  with  here  and  there 
lofty  peaks,  rock-bound  and  precipitous,  rising  in  altitude  from  a 
few  hundreds  to  thousands  of  feet  above  the  level  of  tlie  surround- 
ing country.  The  railroads  follow  now  the  winding  of  the  river 
through  the  valley,  then  running  through  deep  cuttings  and  tun- 
nels bored  through  the  solid  rock  of  the  mountain,  and  now  passing 
over  some  wild  mountain  pass,  made  historic  perhaps  by  some  feat 
of  arms,  or  desperate  struggle  of  this  great  rebellion.  The  wagon 
roads,  if  such  they  can  be  called,  wind  their  way  around  and  over 
the  hills,  and  on  the  edges  of  the  precipices,  and  in  their  best  estate 


35 


would  scarcely  be  deemed  passable  by  one  accustomed  to  the 
smooth  roads  over  our  northern  prairies.  It  is  at  once  seen  that 
the  subsistence  of  an  army  here,  if  they  are  obliged  to  haul  their 
supplies  over  any  very  great  distance  of  such  road  in  wagons, 
would  be  impossible.  The  country  from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta 
partakes,  in  places,  to  some  extent,  of  the  same  general  character 
as  that  I have  briefly  described,  though  some  portions  of  the  dif- 
tance  is  merely  undulating,  and  is  covered  with  large  and  fertile 
plantations.  A region  more  available  for  defensive  purposes  can 
scarcely  be  conceived.  But  the  interest  in  the  beauty  and  sublim- 
ity of  the  scenery  is  trebly  increased  by  the  fact  that  from  Stone 
river  to  Atlanta  there  is  scarcely  a spot  which  the  eye  can  rest  upor, 
that  is  not  made  memorable  to  all  time,  by  the  heroism  and  achieve- 
ments of  the  armies  of  the  Union,  in  their  onward  march  to  the 
Gulf.  The  country  has  been  literally  wrested,  step  by  etep,  and 
almost  inch  by  inch,  from  the  hands  of  traitors.  As  a striking  in- 
stance of  the  tenacity  with  which  this  campaign  was  made,  and  the 
obstinacy  with  which  the  rebels  held  their  positions,  I am  assured 
that  when  Atlanta  was  reached,  our  troops  had  erected  and  relin- 
quished in  their  onward  march,  over  three  hundred  miles  of  breast- 
works and  fortiflcations.  In  looking  at  the  various  seemingly  im- 
pregnable positions,  where  the  rebel  army  made  their  several  stands, 
only  to  be  driven  from  them,  one  after  the  other,  by  the  obstinate 
valor  of  our  soldiery,  one  is  reminded  of  Leonidas,  and  the  pass  of 
Thermopylae,  and  how  different  might  have  been  the  result  here, 
had  the  cause  of  our  enemies  been  more  just,  or  our  armies  been 
less  brave  and  determined.  The  campaign  resulting  in  the  capture 
of  Atlanta  must  ever  be  considered,  when  fully  understood,  one  of 
the  most  wonderful  on  record. 

THE  soldiers’  CEMETERY  AT  CHATTANOOGA. 

At  Chattanooga,  a beautiful  hill,  profusely  adorned  by  nature,  is 
being  fenced  in,  and  neatly  and  substantially  fitted  up  for  a soldiers’ 
cemetery.  To  me,  the  place  possessed  more  interest  than  many  others 
in  the  vicinity,  of  a more  celebrated  and  pretentious  character. 
Already  over  six  thousand  of  the  soldiei*s  of  the  republic,  within 
its  confines,  sleep  the  last  sleep  that  knows  no  waking.  It  is  a 
most  proper  resting  place  for  the  fallen  braves— right  there  in  the 
vicinity  where  some  of  the  most  glorious  achievements  of  this  war 


36 


have  taken  place — at  once  the  place  of  their  heroic  struggles,  their 
victories,  and  their  final  rest. 

I would  most  respectfully,  but  earnestly,  recommend  to  your  Ex- 
cellency, that  Illinois  should  take  some  measures,  either  by  the 
erection  of  a suitable  monument,  or  in  some  other  more  proper 
manner,  to  testify  her  gratitude  and  lasting  remembrance  of  those 
of  her  sons  who,  far  from  their  own  State,  are  buried  in  this  ceme- 
tery. Their  memory  deserves  at  least  this,  and  in  nothing  could 
the  State  do  itself  greater  honor. 

THE  SPIRIT  OF  THE  ILLINOIS  SOLDIERS — POLITICAL  AND  OTHERWISE. 

It  would  be  an  act  of  injustice  to  our  soldiers  in  the  field,  to 
close  this  report  without  speaking  of  the  nearly  unanimous  feeling 
pervading  those  coming  within  my  observation,  as  to  their  political 
sympathies  and  their  views  upon  the  conduct  of  the  war.  I have 
no  doubt  but  that  this  degree  of  unanimity  extends  throughout  all 
the  volunteer  soldiery  of  our  State.  I speak  of  these  things  the 
more  readily,  as,  before  this  shall  have  passed  out  of  my  hands, 
the  general  election  will  have  taken  place,  and  I shall  not  be  sub- 
jected to  the  imputation  of  making  statements,  merely  to  be  used 
for  the  purposes  of  the  political  canvass. 

Illinois  soldiers,  with  a just  pride,  know  that  they  have  made  a 
record  in  this  war,  which,  as  a matter  of  right,  entitles  them  to  the 
highest  consideration  of  their  fellow  citizens,  and,  in  the  fullest  de. 
gree,  to  all  the  rights,  privileges  and  immunities  of  the  American 
freeman.  But  as  they  may  not  vote,  this  feeble  expression  of  their 
sentiments  and  feelings  may,  at  least,  serve  the  purpose  of  placing 
them  right  upon  the  political  records  of  their  State,  add  fresh  zest 
to  the  Union  victory  at  the  polls,  and  assure  their  friends,  that  sus- 
tained at  home,  by  their  sympathy  and  material  support,  in  the 
crushing  out  of  this  causeless  rebellion,  they  will  know  no  such 
word  as  fail. 

Mne-tenths  of  our  soldiers  in  this  army,  I am  assured,  favor 
the  election  of  the  candidates  nominated  at  Baltimore,  and  indorse 
the  platform  of  principles  there  enunciated.  They  wish  the  re- 
election  of  President  Lincoln,  believing  that  his  conduct  of  public 
afiairs  for  the  past  four  years,  during  this  unparalleled  emergency, 
has  been  wise  and  patriotic.  They  feel  that  change,  at  this  junc- 


37 


ture,  would  be  pregnant  with  disaster.  One  honest  soldier,  brought 
np,  doubtless,  out  on  the  prairies  of  our  noble  State,  after  anx‘ 
iously  inquiring  for  the  political  news,  sententiously  expressed  his 
opinion,  by  saying  that  ‘Ore  thought  it  bad  policy  to  swap  a good 
horse  for  a poor  one,  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  when  fodder  was  so 
scarce  and  high.” 

The  Union  nomination  for  Governor  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  the 
boys  look  upon  somewhat  in  the  light  of  a personal  compliment  to 
themselves.  With  them,  he  volunteered  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
rebellion,  and,  in  the  army  of  the  Tennessee,  achieved  a reputation 
second  to  none,  until  compelled  to  retire  from  the  field,  disabled  by 
honorable  wounds  received  in  battle.  The  Illinois  soldier,  in  the  army 
of  the  Tennessee,  remembers,  with  feelings  of  pride,  his  old  com- 
mander, gallant  Dick  Oglesby ; and  our  soldiers  all  think  that  they 
have  good  reason  to  suppose  that  for  the  next,  as  for  the  past  four 
years,  they  will  have  in  their  Governor  a firm  and  steadfast  friend 
— in  a word,  a brother  soldier,  a comrade  cognizant  of  their  wants, 
watchful  over  their  interests — one  who  will  relieve  their  misfor- 
tunes, and  rejoice  in  their  victories  and  heroic  achievements. 

Our  soldiers  have  the  greatest  contempt  for  all  that  class  of  our 
people  who  desire  peace,  for  its  own  sake.  They,  too,  desire  peace, 
but  ask  for  and  will  receive  no  peace  founded  on  dishonor.  A 
cessation  of  hostilities  wmuld,  indeed,  be  grateful,  for  to  them  it 
would  be  a cessation  from  the  weary  round  of  camp  life,  a relief 
from  marches  and  skirmishes  and  battle,  a furlough  from  the  hos- 
pital, and,  mayhap,  from  the  horrors  of  southern  prison-houses ; but 
I have  yet  to  find  the  Illinois  soldier  who  would  accept  any  or  all 
these  at  the  sacrifice  of  his  own  or  country’s  honor.  They  wish 
not  to  be  placed  in  the  false  position  of  victors  seeking  terms  of  the 
vanquished.  They  have  carried  the  “ old  flag  ” in  triumph  from 
the  Ohio  to  the  Gulf,  and  they  ask  that  they  be  not  now,  in  the 
very  hour  of  victory,  compelled  to  lower  it  to  a conquered  enemy. 
They  also  know  that  the  war  has  been  no  failure  ; that  the  enemy 
is  well  nigh  exhausted ; and  from  a proud,  defiant  confederacy,  in 
virtual  possession  of  eleven  states,  they  have  been  forced  back,  by  the 
valor  of  our  arms,  step  by  step,  until  now  there  is  no  state  or  terri- 
tory over  which  our  flag  does  not  float,  and  in  which  we  have  not 
gained  a secure  foothold.  No  wonder  that  the  soldiers  sometimes 
grow  impatient,  and  denounce,  in  no  measured  terms,  those  who 
would  ignore  their  services,  and  sum  up  all  their  magnificent  sue- 


38 


cesses  in  the  field,  in  the  single  word  “ failure.”  If  one  would  get 
inspired  with  the  fullest  measure  of  confidence  in  our  final  triumph, 
he  should  go  to  the  front,  and  mingle  with  the  army.  The  soldier 
is  the  very  embodiment  of  confidence.  Even  in  the  hospital  you 
will  fail  to  discover  that  disease  or  wounds  in  any  way  quenches 
his  spirit  and  zeal  in  the  cause.  If  there  be  such  cases,  they  are 
extremely  rare.  Would  that  the  spirit  and  determination  of  some 
of  these  soldiers  might  be  infused  into  some  of  our  weak-kneed, 
trembling,  doubting  patriots  at  home,  who  forget  so  easily  all  the 
lessons  of  history,  and  are  continually  permitting  themselves  to 
question,  whether,  after  all,  the  South  can  be  conquered,  and  the 
Union  restored  ; and  are  in  constant  fear  lest  Grant  be  repulsed,  or 
Sherman’s  communications  be  severed.  The  soldier  at  the  front  has 
no  doubts  or  forebodings.  His  loyalty  is  earnest  and  confident 
He  knows  that  the  time  will  come,  be  it  near  or  distant,  when  the 
armed  strength  of  the  rebellion  shall  be  broken.  The  accidents 
of  war,  and  temporary  reverses,  they  expect,  satisfied  that  they 
are  making  substantial  progress,  and  trustful  that,  through  all,  the 
flag  of  the  Union  will  emerge  purer  and  brighter  than  before,  the 
emblem  of  a universal  freedom  and  a more  vigorous  nationality. 

As  a truthful  exponent  of  those  things  uppermost  in  the  minds 
of  our  Illinois  soldiers,  this  report  would  be  imperfect  were  all 
mention  omitted  of  the  universal  manifestations  of  regard  expressed 
by  them  towards  your  excellency,  and  their  cordial  approval  of  the 
course  pursued  by  the  State  Executive  for  the  past  four  years. 
They  understand,  fully,  the  difficulties  under  which  you  have 
labored,  and  appreciate  the  more  highly  your  steadfast  and  unsel- 
fish devotion  to  their  interests.  Thus  much,  at  least,  I am  bound 
to  say  in  behalf  of  the  “boys.”  Were  I to  attempt  to  give  full 
expression  to  all  they  say  and  feel  in  this  regard,  I should  exhaust 
your  patience,  as  well  as  my  own.  The  volunteers  of  Illinois  have 
watched  the  public  course  of  your  excellency,  for  to  them  it  was 
fraught  with  momentous  consequences.  They  are  more  than  satis^ 
fied.  They  take  every  occasion  to  thus  express  themselves,  and  I 
believe  that  they  express  the  sentiments  of  their  hearts.  Their 
deep  regret  that  you  are  soon  to  vacate  the  gubernatorial  chair  is 
only  relieved  by  the  thought  that  in  your  successor  they  will  have 
a Governor  who  likewise  deems  it  a matter  of  just  pride  to  be 
called  “the  soldier’s  friend.” 

I have  the  honor  to  be  the  bearer  of  two  canes,  of  laurel  wood, 
cut  on  Lookout  Mountain,  by  an  aged  Illinois  soldier,  an  inmate 


39 


of  the  hospital  there  located.  At  his  request,  I take  pleasure  in 
presenting  one  to  your  excellency  and  the  other  to  the  Governor 
elect,  Gen.  Oglesby,  in  behalf  of  the  Illinois  soldiers  in  that  hospital. 

THANKS. 

When  kindly  met  by  officers  of  all  rauks  in  the  service,  in  the 
Departments  of  the  Cumberland  and  Ohio,  and  every  facility 
afforded  me  in  furtherance  of  the  objects  of  my  mission,  to  particu- 
larize would  seem  invidious.  My  duties,  however,  bringing  me  in 
contact  with  the  medical  officers  of  these  departments,  and  calling 
for  much  labor  at  their  hands,  in  all  cases  cheerfully  bestowed,  it 
would  be  ungrateful  in  me  not  to  make  mention  and  acknowledg- 
ment of  their  services,  I take  pleasure,  then,  in  saying,  that  I am 
under  the  greatest  obligations  to  W.  Clendenin,  Assistant  Medical 
Director,  Department  of  the  Cumberland,  at  JMashville;  E.  W. 
Jones,  Surgeon,  United  States  Yolunteers,  in  charge  of  hospitals, 
and  Medical  Director  of  the  post  of  Chattanooga;  Surgeon  O.  Q. 
Herrick,  United  States  Yolunteers,  and  Superintendent  of  Trans- 
portation for  sick  and  wounded,  Chattanooga ; T.  P.  Earnum, 
Surgeon,  United  States  Army,  and  Superintendent  of  Hospital 
Trains,  Nashville;  Dr.  K.  Gilbert,  Medical  Director  Hospitals, 
Louisville,  Kentucky;  and  Dr.  Josiah  Curtiss,  Medical  Director 
Department  of  the  Ohio — by  all  of  wdiom  I was  kindly  received, 
and  who  did  all  in  their  power  to  make  my  mission  a successful 
one.  1 hereby  tender  them  my  hearty  thanks. 

I would  respectfully  suggest  that  you  recommend  to  the  Legisla- 
ture, in  your  next  annual  message,  an  appropriation  of  at  least  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars  tor  sanitary  purposes.  I lind  that  the 
soldiers  of  other  States,  in  addition  to  what  is  done  by  the  United 
States  Sanitary  Commission,  receive  large  contributions  from  their 
respective  State  Sanitary  Commissions,  through  funds  appropriated 
by  State  Legislatures,  and  there  is  no  reason  why  the  brave  sons  of 
Illinois  should  not  have  a share  of  the  resources  of  the  State  treas- 
ury direct,  and  not  be  left  dependent  alone  upon  the  voluntary 
benevolence  of  the  loyal  and  unsellish  citizens  alone. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

Yery  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

THOS.  P.  KOBE, 

Col.  M.  and  S.  Agent  for  JllincU. 

Nashville,  Tenn.,  N'ov.  4,  1864. 


40 


OOEEESPOI4DENCE. 


Hkad-Quarters  Illinois  Military  and  Sanitary  Agency, 
Memphis^  'lenn.^  Nov.  22,  1864. 


His  Excellency,  Richard  Yates, 


Governor  of  Illinois,  Springfield,  Illinois: 


Dear  Sir  : In  my  late  tour  of  inspection  in  the  Department  of 
the  Cumberland,  I visited  Lookout  Mountain  Hospital,  at  Chatta- 
nooga, Tennessee.  Aside  from  the  ordinary  interest  excited  by 
visiting  a locality  now  become  celebrated,  the  occasion  was  one 
long  to  be  remembered,  by  reason  of  the  following  circumstance  : 

The  Illinois  soldiers,  diseased  and  wounded,  inmates  of  the  hos- 
pital I have  mentioned,  wished  to  testify,  in  a humble  way,  their 
appreciation  of  the  self-sacrificing  interest  manifested  upon  all  oc- 
casions, in  behalf  of  the  soldiers,  by  your  Excellency.  To  that 
end  they  commissioned  me  to  present  to  you,  for  them,  the  cane 
accompanying  this  letter,  trusting  that  you  would  accept  it,  not  for 
its  intrinsic  value  merely,  for  that  is  small,  but  as  an  earnest  of  their 
gratitude  ind  lasting  esteem.  The  cane  is  of  laurel  wood,  com- 
monly called,  by  the  natives,  ivory  wood,  by  reason  of  its  hardness, 
and  w^as  cut  by  the  eldest  of  their  number  from  near  the  summit 
of  the  mountain.  Will  your  Excellency  please  accept  it,  as  the 
gift  of  honest,  brave  and  patriotic  hearts.  The  soldier  is  no  diplo- 
matist. He  is  all  unused  to  flattery.  He  speaks  right  out  the  sen- 
timents of  his  heart,  whether  it  be  in  hearty  condemnation  of  trea- 
son, or  in  grateful  acknowledgment  of  kindnesses  received.  Hest 
assured,  then,  that  this  expression,  whatever  be  its  worth,  has  at  least 
the  merit  of  being  an  honest  one. 

With  the  cane,  the  soldiers  also  wished  me  to  return  to  your 
Excellency  their  thanks  for  your  earnest  efforts  in  behalf  of  the 
Illinois  soldier,  and  to  express  their  hope  and  prayer,  that,  after  yon 
shall  have  vacated  your  office,  as  soon  you  will  be  called  upon  to 
do,  health  and  prosperity  may  attend  you,  wherever,  or  in  whatever 


41 


position,  public  or  private,  you  maybe,  and  that  nothing  may  ever 
arise  to  cause  you  to  regret  your  labors  in  behalf  of  the  volunteers 
of  Illinois  in  the  great  army  of  the  Union. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

THOS.  F.  ROBB, 

Colonel  and  Agent 


Executive  Mansion, 
Sprmgjield  Illinois,  Dec.  3,  1864. 

To  the  sick  and  wounded  Illmois  soldiers  of  Lookout  Mountain  Hospital,  Chattanooga, 

Tejinessee: 

Soldiers  : I have  received  from  Col.  T.  P.  Robb,  Illinois  Mili- 
tary and  Sanitary  Agent,  the  handsome  laurel  or  ivory  wood  cane, 
which  you  commissioned  him  to  present  to  me  in  your  behalf.  It 
is  a beautiful  gift,  and  will  ever  be  cherished  by  me  as  one  of  the 
most  interesting  mementoes  of  this  great  struggle,  in  which  the 
volunteers  of  Illinois  have  borne  so  conspicuous  and  honorable  a 
part.  Growing,  as  it  once  did,  upon  a spot  now  become  historical,  and 
in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  which  some  of  the  greatest  battles  of 
this  war  have  been  fought,  where  thousands  of  your  comrades  have 
fallen,  and  now  sleep  in  soldiers  graves,  it  will  serve  to  constantly 
remind  me  how  inestimable  is  the  price  we  were  called  upon  to  pay 
for  the  preservation  of  the  Union.  What  memories  come  throng- 
ing up  at  the  mere  mention  of  the  names  of  those  battle  fields  of 
freedom — Chickamauga,  Chattanooga,  Lookout  Mountain  and  Mis- 
sion Ridge.  They  are  hallowed  spots,  and  will  remain  such,  so 
long  as  liberty  has  anywhere  a resting  place  and  a single  follower 
to  worship  at  her  altars. 

Hot  the  least  interest,  however,  attaching  to  the  gift,  is,  that  it  is 
from  those  who  have  suffered  and  bled  in  defense  of  their  country 
and  its  free  institutions.  Sick  and  wounded  for  your  country,  and 
yet,  with  patriotic  devotion,  you  have  esteemed  it  rather  a privilege 
than  otherwise,  and  in  all  your  trials  and  sufferings,  ever  hopeful 
and  confident,  you  have  never  faltered  in  your  earnest  purpose  to 
rescue  your  land  from  the  foul  grasp  of  traitors. 

I thank  you  for  your  gift,  for  the  kind  words  you  have  spoken 
me,  and  your  wishes  for  my  future  health  and  prosperity.  I know 
— 4 


42 


of  no  class  of  men  whose  words  of  commendation  I so  earnestly 
desire  to  merit,  and  whose  kind  wishes  are  so  grateful  to  my  feel- 
ings, as  those  of  the  Illinois  soldiers.  Heaven  bless  you.  May 
peace  soon  smile  on  the  land  you  have  so  nobly  defended,  and 
may  you  soon  be  enabled  to  return  to  your  homes  and  families 
with  restored  health  to  enjoy  its  blessings. 

KICHAED  YATES, 
Governor, 


Headquarters  Illinois  Military  and  Sanitary  Agency, 
Memphis,  Tenn.,  Nov.  22,  1864. 


Major  General  Oglesby, 

Governor  elect  of  Illinois: 

Sir  : It  was  my  good  fortune,  a short  time  since,  in  the  prose- 

cution of  my  duties  as  State  Military  and  Sanitary  Agent,  to  visit 
Lookout  Mountain  Hospital,  at  Chattanooga,  Tennessee.  I found 
among  the  inmates  many  Illinois  soldiers,  hopeful  and  uncom- 
plaining, though  suffering  from  various  forms  of  disease,  and  from 
honorable  wounds,  received  in  battle.  They  were  glad  to  see  me, 
and  eagerly  questioned  me  about  home,  and  the  latest  news  from 
the  north,  and  their  native  State.  The  election  was  then  near  at 
hand,  and  they,  in  common  with  a large  majority  of  our  soldiers 
whom  I met  at  the  front,  were  particularly  anxious  to  be  assured 
that,  in  the  great  political  contest,  their  own  proud  State  of  Illinois 
would,  by  a decisive  and  overwhelming  majority  for  the  Union  can- 
didates, still  continue  to  maintain  that  advanced  position  among 
her  sister  states  achieved  for  her  by  the  heroism  and  bravery  of 
her  volunteer  soldiery.  I was  happy  to  impart  to  them  a portion  of 
the  confidence  felt  by  myself  in  the  result  of  the  pending  election. 

They  were  particularly  pleased  to  be  assured  that  you.  General, 
would  undoubtedly  be  elected  Governor.  They  judged  correctly, 
that  it  is  an  office  which,  more  than  any  other,  has  to  do  with  their 
individual  well-being  as  soldiers. 

A-  portion  of  these  men,  so  they  informed  me,  had  once  fought 
under  your  leadership.  They  all  knew  you,  personally  or  by  repu- 
tation, as  a soldier,  tried  and  true,  devoted  to  the  Union,  and 
pledged  to  uphold  in  your  official  capacity,  if  elected,  the  honor  of 


43 


their  native  State.  It  was  determined  by  these  men  to  send  you, 
General,  some  small  token  of  the  respect  they  feel  toward  you, 
both  as  a soldier,  and  a citizen  about  to  enter  upon  the  duties  of 
the  highest  office  in  the  gift  of  the  people  of  the  State.  In  pursu- 
ance of  that  resolve,  I was  intrusted  with  the  grateful  task  of  pre- 
senting to  you  the  cane  which  accompanies  this  communication. 
It  is  of  laurel  wood,  and  was  cut  near  the  summit  of  Lookout 
Mountain,  by  the  eldest  soldier  of  the  company  then  present  from 
Illinois.  In  behalf  -of  these  brave  men,  bearing  as  they  did  upon 
their  persons  the  testimonials  of  their  heroism  and  devotion  to 
their  country,  I beg  you  to  accept  this  gift,  a small  token  of  their 
esteem.  It  is  of  little  intrinsic  worth ; but,  as  a proof  of  affection 
held  toward  you  by  a representative  from  as  noble-minded  and 
loyal  a body  of  men  as  ever  marched  beneath  the  flag  of  our  coun- 
try, it  has  to  my  mind  a value  far  beyond  its  seeming  worth.  May 
I also  ask,  as  the  expressed  wish  of  these  sick  and  wounded  vete- 
rans— what,  to  mjself  and  to  those  who  know  you  best,  might  be 
deemed  a needless  request — that  whenever  you  may  look  upon 
this,  their  humble  gift,  you  may  have  your  determination  strength- 
ened to  do  whatever  in  your  power  lies,  as  Governor  of  the  State, 
for  the  beneflt,  well-being  and  efficiency  of  our  soldiers  in  the  fleld, 
and  the  sick  and  wounded  in  hospital.  For  themselves,  they  are 
willing  to  flght  on,  braving  disease,  danger,  wounds,  and  death 
itself,  until  this  cursed  rebellion  is  utterly  crushed  out,  treason 
punished,  and  the  integrity  of  the  whole  Union  re-established.  In 
return,  they  ask  the  sympathy  and  support  of  those  left  behind. 
In  creating  such  sympathy,  and  contributing  to  such  support,  they 
think  they  have  good  reason  to  know  that  the  Governor  can  do 
much,  and  have  every  confldence  that  to  your  hands  their  interests 
are  safely  committed. 

With  sentiments  of  personal  esteem,  in  behalf  of  these  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers, 

I am,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

THOS.  P.  EOBB, 

Col.  a/nd  Agent. 


u 


* Decatur,  lUinois,  Nov.  27,  1864. 

To  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  of  Lookout  Mountain  Hospital^  Tennessee: 

Fellow-Soldiers  : Throuejli  your  friend,  Col.  Thomas  P.  Eobb, 

Military  and  Sanitary  Agent  for  the  State  of  Illinois,  I have 
received  the  handsome  laurel  cane  you  kindly  present  to  me  as  an 
expression  of  the  feeling  you  retain  toward  a brother  soldier.  It 
comes  from  honored  ground,  is  presented  by  noble  hearts,  in  a 
holy  cause.  Every  association  is  well  calculated  to  give  to  this  act 
a solemn  dignity  and  a beautiful  simplicity.  It  appeals  to  my 
heart  with  touching  and  unusual  affection.  Be  assured  that  the 
people  of  this  noble  State  hold  you  and  your  cause  alike  in  sacred 
estimation,  and  at  all  times,  under  all  circumstances,  will  be  found 
faithful  to  both.  The  soldier  knows,  better  than  it  can  be  told  to 
him,  how  he  suffers  for  his  country.  Dark  as  at  times  the  trial 
may  seem  to  be  to  you,  hurt,  as  you  often  are,  over  seeming  indif- 
ference to  you,  it  must  be  written  down  on  the  white  sheet  of  his- 
tory, as  the  noblest  monument  to  your  worth,  that  you  never 
despair.  May  God  grant  you  health  and  restored  constitutions,  to 
enjoy,  with  all  who  shall  live,  that  peace  soon  to  be  returned  to  us, 
with  a united  and  happy  nation.. 

Your  friend, 

KICHAKD  J.  OGLESBY. 


